University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
14-6,5-4Sun Belt
Arkansas State
12-8,8-1Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas St. | 25 | 25 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 3 |
| Southern Miss. | 20 | 16 | 25 | 25 | 12 | 2 |
10/22/2026 10:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss (14-6, 5-4 Sun Belt) rallied from a two-set deficit to even the match, but Arkansas State (12-8, 8-1 Sun Belt) held on in the deciding set to claim a 2-3 victory (20-25, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21, 12-15) Thursday night at the Southern Miss Wellness Center.
The Golden Eagles finished with a season-high 89 digs and out-killed the Red Wolves 59-46. Elly Stewart led Southern Miss with season highs of 17 kills, four aces and 21.5 points. Sunni Sheppard also set a season best with 29 digs, while Allie Hazelwood continued her streak of 40-plus assists with 43. Sadie McAda recorded 10 kills and 15 digs for her seventh consecutive double-double and 15th of the season. Diana Wells added 13 kills, while Lillie Johnson contributed eight kills and four total blocks. Kaylee Lowther reached double-digit digs for the second straight match with 13. Southern Miss was hurt by errors, finishing with 18 service errors and 36 attack errors.
How It Happened
Arkansas State took control early in the first set, building a 5-1 lead. Southern Miss gradually closed the gap, then McAda and Wells helped spark a run that put the Golden Eagles ahead 17-15. The teams traded points before the Red Wolves pulled away late, taking the set 25-20.
The Red Wolves built another lead in the second, turning a 5-5 tie into an 11-5 advantage. From then on, it was all ASU. Southern Miss worked to stay within reach, but Arkansas State extended its margin through the middle of the set and closed it out 25-16.
Southern Miss responded in the third. After Arkansas State pulled even at 9, Stewart's kills and aces helped the Golden Eagles move ahead 15-10. The Red Wolves rallied to tie the set at 16 and again at 22, but McAda's late kill helped Southern Miss finish the 25-23 win.
The fourth set stayed close early before Southern Miss moved in front 8-6. Wells and McAda helped maintain the lead, and Stewart's service ace pushed the advantage to 21-13. Arkansas State narrowed the margin late, but the Golden Eagles held on to win 25-21 and force a fifth set.
Arkansas State edged ahead in the deciding frame after the teams traded points early. Southern Miss fought back from a 4-7 deficit and closed within two at 8-10, but the Red Wolves built a 14-8 lead. The Golden Eagles scored four straight to extend the match, before Arkansas State secured the final point for a 15-12 set win to close the match.
Up Next
Southern Miss will host Arkansas State again Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. CT at the Southern Miss Wellness Center.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
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