HATTIESBURG, Miss. – ULM volleyball dropped the second match of the two-match series to Southern Miss 3-0 (10-25, 23-25, 15-25) Friday evening.
 
Aniya Hall totaled a team-leading nine kills in the match. Paige Meins and Morgan Howard collected double-digit assists as Briana Raney led with 16 digs.
 
The Golden Eagles (10-3, 0-2) executed a 5-2 run to start the first, putting the Warhawks (9-7, 0-2) in a hole early in the set. ULM fought back to close the gap to three with the score being 10-7, but a 7-1 run by USM put it in firm control of the set. The Warhawks only managed two more points for the rest of the way as the Golden Eagles cruised to a 1-0 lead.
 
Both teams started the second set fairly even, with Southern Miss holding a narrow 9-7 lead. With a 4-1 scoring run, it built a five-point cushion before the Warhawks responded with a 5-2 run to make it close. Another 4-1 for ULM tied the set at 17-17, with another two points giving it the lead late. The advantage didn't last long, as the Golden Eagles scored four of the next five points to take back control. Both squads traded points before a final attack error by the Warhawks gave USM a 2-0 score in the match.
 
Set three was another close start as both teams were deadlocked at 7-7. With a one-point lead, Southern Miss piled up seven unanswered points to establish control. ULM didn't recover and dropped the third set, confirming the 0-2 start in Sun Belt Conference play.
 
The Warhawks will be back in the friendly confines of Fant-Ewing Coliseum next weekend as they host South Alabama for two matches.