Trojans Fall to Southern Miss in Four Sets

Friday, September 3

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

2-2,0-0Sun Belt

Southern Miss

-51,00 CUSA

Troy

Southern Miss.

Trojans Fall to Southern Miss in Four Sets

9/3/2021 5:00:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TUSCALOOSA, Al. – After a hot start to the match and winning the opening set, Troy (2-2) fell to Southern Miss (5-1) in four sets (25-16, 26-28, 16-25, 17-25) at Foster Auditorium on the second day of the Crimson Tide Invitational.

Cheyenne Hayes, Julia Brooks, and Caitlin Cooper all recorded 13 kills to lead the Trojans. Amara Anderson had her second match in a row with over 40 assists finishing with 42 to lead all players. Service Errors were the night's story as Troy ended with 14 compared to Southern Miss, who only had three.

The Golden Eagles were led by Duquesne Moratzka and Lauren Talbert, who each had 10 kills. In addition, Lindsey Legg had four service aces, and Cara Atkinson led all players with seven blocks.

"Southern Miss played a nice match today," head coach Josh Lauer said. "In these multiple match weekends, you need to have a short memory whether you win or lose. So, we will regroup tonight, learn from our mistakes today and prepare to be ready to play tomorrow against a scrappy and competitive Buffalo team."

First Set: The match started with both teams' trading points as there were seven ties early on. With it all knotted up at 12, Troy would go on a 10-0 run with three kills from Brooks and a service ace from Hayes while capitalizing on mistakes by Southern Miss. Cooper closed the set out with a kill to give the Trojans the set win 25-17

Second Set: The second set was a much closer contest as the Trojans saw themselves down 20-17. The Trojans would record four straight points with Brooks, Cooper, and Hayes adding to their kill total and an Alison Siersma service ace for the lead. However, Southern Miss wouldn't go away as they fought back from two set points and eventually would take the set 28-26.

Third Set: Trojans had to battle back for much of the third set. A Halston Hillier kill capped off four straight points for the Trojans to bring them within five at 16-11, but Southern Miss went on a run of their own, responding with three consecutive points, keeping the Trojans out of striking distance and winning the set 25-16

Fourth Set: Trojans stuck around after finding themselves down early, and after Troy had got to within five points again at 21-16, Southern Miss snuffed out the rally and went out to close out the set 25-17 giving them the match win.

Up Next: The Trojans close out the Crimson Tide Invitational with a Saturday morning showdown against Buffalo.