Southern Miss volleyball tops Lamar in four sets at home invitational

Southern Miss defeated Lamar 3-1 on Friday at the Wellness Center, winning 25-14, 23-25, 25-18, 31-29 to close the second day of the Southern Miss Invitational. The victory was the Golden Eagles’ third in a row and moved them to 6-1, while Lamar fell to 1-7.

Allie Hazelwood led Southern Miss with a career-high 57 assists and 16 digs for her second double-double of the season. Her assist total was also a new single-match season high among Sun Belt players. Sadie McAda recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 18 kills and a season-high 20 digs.

Aubrey Judd added 14 kills, including two of the match’s final three points. Elly Stewart had 13 kills, hit .522 and recorded four blocks. Diana Wells finished with 12 kills and a career-high nine digs, Lillie Johnson had nine kills, and Sunni Sheppard set a career high with four aces.

Southern Miss controlled the opening set after taking a 6-0 lead and went on to win 25-14. Lamar responded by building a 11-7 advantage in the second set and held on for the final two points after Southern Miss tied the score at 23-23.

The Golden Eagles regained control in the third set with a 5-0 run that turned a 12-12 tie into a 17-12 lead. Stewart closed the frame with her sixth kill of the set, giving Southern Miss a 2-1 match advantage.

The fourth set remained close throughout. With Lamar leading 29-28, Judd tied the score with a kill. Sheppard then served an ace for a 30-29 lead, and set up Judd for the final kill in the 31-29 victory.

Southern Miss will continue the invitational Saturday at the Wellness Center against Southern and Jackson State.

Source: Southern Miss Athletics.