Trojans Can't Close Out Southern Miss

Friday, September 30

Hattiesburg, Miss.

6 p.m.

Troy University

7-8,1-2Sun Belt

Southern Miss

10-5,2-1Sun Belt

Troy

Southern Miss.

Photo by: Davis Photography

9/30/2022 9:39:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score PDF Box Score

By: Troy Athletics Communications

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – For the sixth time this season, the Trojans took the match to five sets looking to earn their eighth win of the season. Trailing 9-11 late in the fifth set Troy used five straight points to take a 14-11 lead and get to match point. However, the final point would not come as Southern Miss used five straight points of their own and claimed the fifth and final set Friday night. (23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22, 14-16)

Despite more attacks, kills, hitting percentage and digs, Troy (7-8, 1-2) was hurt with 25 attack errors and 15 service errors in the match.

After setting a career-high with 26 kills earlier in the season, Tori Hester broke that record after seeing 27 kills in the match to lead all players to go along with 11 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.

Julia Brooks and Amiah Butler also contributed to the effort as each saw a double-digit kill in the match, with Butler finishing with 18 and Brooks 11.

Amara Anderson set up the Troy offense with a season-high 59 assists as the defensive effort was led by Jaci Mesa, who saw a career-high 21 digs, and Savannah Poling with six blocks.

Southern Miss (10-5, 2-1) had eight aces in the match, which was two more than Troy and five fewer attack errors. Cara Atkinson led the Golden Eagles with 14 kills, and Kenzie Smith finished with 44 assists.

Set One: A closely contested first set saw the host able to squeak out a win after the set saw 14 ties. The story of the set came late in the set as Southern Miss outscored Troy 10-5 down the stretch. Hester had tied things up at 23 after a kill, but Southern Miss took the last two points to earn the first set win.

Set Two: Troy responded as, after the media timeout, Brooks gave the Trojans the lead, and it would not be relinquished the rest of the way. After Southern Miss got back within two, Brooks and Butler combined for three of the last four points for Troy to even the match.

Set Three: Despite a match-high .375 attack percentage and seeing a three-point lead after the media timeout. Troy allowed a Southern Miss six-point rally which saw them take the lead for good, where they would eventually win by five points.

Set Four: The Trojans never trailed in the fourth set. After leading 20-16, Sothern Miss got within one twice at 20-19 and 22-21. Brooks took matters into her own hands, finishing the set with three straight kills.

Set Five: Trailing 11-8, Troy took advantage of three attacking errors by Southern miss and two kills from Butler from one pint in securing the match win. It was not to be as Southern Miss used five straight points of their own as back-to-back kills from Mia Wesley and a service ace ended the match.

Up Next: Troy and Southern Miss will conclude the weekend series tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 1, at 3 p.m.