University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
McAda and Sheppard earn Preseason All-Conference Honors
8/19/2026 2:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Following standout 2025 campaigns, Sadie McAda and Sunni Sheppard were both selected to the 2026 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
McAda enters the 2026 season as one of the Sun Belt's top returning all-around players after earning first team All-Sun Belt honors last season. The outside hitter ranked among the league's most productive attackers, averaging 3.50 kills per set and 3.96 points per set, while also making an impact defensively with 3.65 digs per set.
Sheppard returns as one of the Sun Belt's top liberos after earning third team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025. Sheppard finished last season averaging 4.37 digs per set and totaled more than 340 digs, ranking among the conference's top defensive performers. She also contributed from the service line with 25 aces and a 0.32 aces-per-set average. During the 2025 season, Sheppard surpassed 1,000 career digs and set a school record in the rally-scoring era with 39 digs in a match.
The Golden Eagles also placed third in the West Division in the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll. Southern Miss finished the 2025 season with a fifth place ranking in the West Division after being picked to place sixth in the 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Golden Eagles are back in action at the Wellness Center on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. when they take on Nicholls in an exhibition.
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