University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
11-5,2-3Sun Belt
Georgia State
7-10,1-4Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia St. | 25 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Southern Miss. | 20 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 1 |
Southern Miss Falls to Georgia State in Four Sets
10/8/2026 9:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss (11-5, 2-3 SBC) suffered their third setback since the start of conference play as Georgia State claimed a 1-3 (20-25, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25) victory Thursday at the Wellness Center.
Diana Wells led the Golden Eagles with 13 kills, her first time leading Southern Miss in kills this season. Sadie McAda and Lillie Johnson added 10 kills apiece, with Johnson hitting a team-best .375. McAda also recorded 16 digs for her 11th double-double of the season and third in a row. Sunni Sheppard led all players with a season-high 27 digs, while Kaylee Lowther added 10. Allie Hazelwood finished with 44 assists, and Southern Miss totaled 81 digs, one shy of a tying their season high, while posting a season low in aces with just two.
How it Happened
Georgia State's defense made an early impact, collecting 27 digs in the opening set as Southern Miss managed 18. The score stayed close through the middle of the frame before the Panthers pulled away late to take it, 25-20. This first set saw 10 tie scores and 4 lead changes, but GSU was able to take control late and never looked back.
Southern Miss responded in the second, hitting .265 after posting a .140 clip in the opener. The Golden Eagles built a commanding lead, but Georgia State made a late push with a 6-1 run. Southern Miss answered with three straight points to close the set, including two Wells kills, and evened the match with a 25-20 win.
The third set was one that Southern Miss seemed to have under control as they maintained a lead through the early and middle stages, but the Panthers applied pressure late as things tightened with the teams tied at 19. Georgia State then put together a 6-1 run to take the set, 25-20. Southern Miss struggled to find its rhythm offensively, hitting .085 in the frame.
In the fourth, a Wells kill followed by Elly Stewart and Hazelwood teaming up for a block tied the score at 13. Georgia State took control through the middle portion of the set and led 18-15. Emily Davis entered and recorded a kill, and Aubrey Judd added one as well, but the Panthers regained momentum. After Southern Miss' final timeout, Judd put down another kill; Georgia State answered with a kill of their own, before a Wells kill brought the Golden Eagles within 22-20. That was as close as Southern Miss got, as the Panthers scored the final three points to take the set and match.
Up next
Southern Miss will face Georgia State again Friday at 2 p.m. CT at the Wellness Center.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
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