By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Junior Alyssa Lang set a KSU record with 19 kills in a three-set match, but it wasn't enough as the Kennesaw State volleyball team fell, 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 27-25) to Southern Miss in the championship match of the Southern Miss/LaQuinta Inn Invitational. Junior Sabrita Gulley and freshman Sara Metroka both earned all-tournament honors.
The Owls (2-1) pushed Southern Miss to extra points in two of the sets, including holding a set point in the third set, but could never quite put away the defending Conference USA champions. Lang was especially solid in the opening set, converting for 10 kills in the frame. Her 10th kill of the set tied the score at 25-25, but USM (3-0) scored the final two points to take the opener.
In the second set, the Owls were hanging with the Golden Eagles until the longest point of the match at 18-17 went in favor of the home team. From there, KSU was somewhat deflated for the remainder of the set, and the Golden Eagles took advantage, winning 25-19.
In the final set, the Owls led for most of the way, varying their offense and keeping the Golden Eagles off-balance. However, a rally by USM gave the home team a 23-21 lead late. KSU fought back, with back-to-back kills by Lang tying the set 23-23. An attack error gave KSU a set point chance, but the Golden Eagles fought it off. Lang's final kill of the match gave KSU another set point chance, but a kill, a KSU attack error, and a service ace gave the Golden Eagles the finale, 27-25.
Metroka, who averaged 11.3 assists per set, was named all-tournament, as was Gulley, who averaged 5.61 points per set. Gulley completed her first double-double of the season, adding 12 digs to her 12 kills. Lang had her first double-double as an Owl with 10 digs, while Metroka fell just short with 32 assists and eight digs.
The Owls will be back in action Tuesday when they travel to Jacksonville, Ala., to face Jacksonville State. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. CDT.
