The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball team stockpiled stats but it was Southern Miss which found the timely rallies to come away with a 3-1 (31-29, 14-25, 25-21, 25-21) win on Thursday, November 2 at the USM Wellness Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The victory by the Golden Eagles (11-13, 6-7 Sun Belt) sets up a winner-take-all scenario for the No. 4 seed out of the SBC West Division when the rematch with the Ragin' Cajuns (15-12, 6-7 Sun Belt) takes place on Friday, November 3.
Louisiana held a 64-54 edge in kills, a 61-52 advantage in assists and out-dug USM by a 90-75 count. The Golden Eagles countered with a critical 10.0-6.5 lead in blocks, posting six blocks after the Cajuns leveled the match.
Southern Miss was able to swing the match in its favor by overcoming a seven-point deficit in the opening set, eventually winning in extra points, and by erasing a deficit midway through Set 3.
The Ragin' Cajuns offense dominated the first half of the match with a 39-27 advantage in kills, however the Golden Eagles flipped the script the back half slowing UL down and overtaking the visitors 27-25 in kills.