Sept. 1, 2005
AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn volleyball team opened up the 2005 campaign with a win on Thursday evening, defeating Grambling State in three games, 30-11, 30-17, 30-12. This marks the second consecutive season-opening win for the Tigers team.
"I was happy with our performance this evening," AU head coach Laura Farina said. "Grambling State is a very athletic team and we did not know what to expect from them. I was impressed with the poise of our team. Our passing and service game was really the difference here this evening."
The group was led by Silver Springs, Md., native Jennifer Amobi who turned in a team high 19 kills on 29 total attacks (.586) and five digs. Rachel Shanks from Madison, Ala., racked up 14 kills on 23 attacks and led the group with nine digs. Whitney Jacob of Coppell, Texas, set a new career high with five aces. Making her collegiate debut, Michele Ashmore (Baton Rouge, La.) led the team with 39 assists.
"Our hitters really put up some career numbers tonight," Farina noted. "Jennifer Amobi really played a huge role in our success this evening. Her attacking was just on tonight. Whitney Jacob also had some excellent serves that scored us big points."
As a team, the Tigers finished the game with the eighth best hitting percentage in AU history of nearly 50 percent (.448).
Auburn continues the season on Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the Student Activities Center with a matchup with Georgia Southern. The Eagles picked up two wins already this season over Campbell and Jacksonville in the GSU/LaQuinta Inn Invite in late August. The group faced Georgia this evening.