JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Southern Miss volleyball completed a perfect run at the Gamecock Classic on Saturday, defeating Jacksonville State in three sets to secure the tournament championship.
The Golden Eagles won 25-22, 25-19, 25-14. They were led offensively by Sadie McAda, who finished with 11 kills and a .435 hitting percentage. Elly Stewart contributed eight kills on 11 attempts without an error, hitting .727. Aubrey Judd and Diana Wells added six kills each, while Lillie Johnson had five.
Allie Hazelwood dished out 28 assists and added three kills. Sunni Sheppard anchored the defense with 16 digs. McAda and Hazelwood were named to the all-tournament team after the three-match run.
Southern Miss opened the match with a competitive first set, pulling away late for a 25-22 victory. The team led 13-11 before Jacksonville State rallied to tie at 22-22. The Golden Eagles responded with three consecutive points to close out the set, aided by kills from Judd and Johnson and an attack error by the Gamecocks.
The Golden Eagles gained momentum in the second set, hitting .438 with 17 kills. A 5-0 run turned a 15-15 tie into a 20-15 lead, and the team maintained control to win 25-19. Southern Miss dominated the third set, hitting .409 and jumping out to an 8-2 advantage behind two aces from Sheppard and two kills from Stewart.
The team continued to extend its lead, reaching 21-12 before closing the match on a 4-2 run. McAda secured the final point with a powerful kill, sealing the sweep and the tournament title.
Southern Miss will travel next weekend to Oxford, Mississippi, to face Central Arkansas and Ole Miss at the Rebel Volleyball Classic. Fans can follow updates on the team’s Instagram, X, and Facebook pages.
