Aug. 29, 2006
KENNESAW, Ga. -
The Auburn volleyball team swept its third opponent of the season, Kennesaw State, 30-23, 30-16, 30-20 at the KSU Convocation Center on Tuesday. The win moves the Tigers to 3-1 on the season, while the Owls, who were playing their first home match in school history, fall to 0-2.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
Rachel Shanks paced the Tigers with 12 kills, eight digs and three aces, each match-highs for the team. Julie Bosler added 10 kills and four blocks, while Whitney Jacob chipped in nine kills with a .667 hitting percentage.
"I thought it was a competitive match," head coach Laura Farina said. "We got good production out of Dala (Naidzinaviciut) and Whitney (<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Hobbs) tonight, and that experience will help them the rest of the season."
Auburn totaled 50 kills on the night to KSU's 18, however, the Tigers had 15 service errors.
"We didn't manage our serves well," Farina said. "Kennesaw State did a good job picking off our service game, and that is something that we will have to get better at by Friday."
Tied 5-5 in game one, the Tigers grabbed a small lead and maintained it to a 13-11 advantage until AU went on a 7-1 run led by Jacob and Jessica Glover. The Owls closed the gap to 21-18, but Auburn regained control and took the opening game 30-23.
The Tigers jumped out to an 8-2 lead in game two and never looked back. KSU would get no closer than six the rest of the game and Auburn won 30-16.
In game three, the Owls took an early 4-1 advantage. AU came back to tie the game at six and the teams exchanged points before Auburn took its final lead at 9-8 and pulled away to take the game 30-20, and with it the match.
The Tigers return home for the Mizuno/Auburn Challenge on Sept. 1-2 in the Student Activities Center. Auburn will face Arizona State on Friday at 7 p.m. and Virginia Tech and #16 Purdue Saturday at noon and 4 p.m., respectively. Fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on the Tigers. Admission is free.