Sept. 1, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. -
The Auburn University volleyball team fell to Arizona State, 30-27, 30-25, 29-31, 30-16 in the team's opening match of the Auburn Mizuno Challenge at the Student Activities Center on Friday. The loss drops the Tigers to 3-2 on the season, while the Sun Devils move to 4-0.
Rachel Shanks notched her third double-double of the season by recording 17 kills and 16 digs, leading the Tigers in both categories on the night. Jelena Sekulich recorded her own double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs (a career-high), while Joanna Pappas also had a career-high 12 digs to go along with 47 assists. Jessica Glover's 42 attacks and seven digs also marked new career bests.
"Games one and two were very close," head coach Laura Farina said. "We just got on a string of errors towards the end of the games and they (ASU) were able to take advantage."
The Tigers had a season-high 58 kills and 72 digs, but were unable to overcome its season-low .146 attacking percentage.
"We need to get better and find ourselves in our positions," Farina said. "This team works very hard and we need to take what we learn in practice and bring it to the games."
The Sun Devils went on a 4-0 run early in the first game to take an 8-4 lead. AU battled back and evened it at 10, before taking its first lead at 16-15. With Auburn up 23-20, ASU reeled off five-straight points to take the lead it would never relinquish, and won 30-27.
Arizona State jumped out to an 8-2 lead in game two, but the Tigers battled back to even the score at 12-12. Neither team had a lead higher than two until the Sun Devils scored the game's final five points to win 30-25.
In game three, the Tigers fought back and and took an early 7-6 advantage. Auburn held that lead, by as many as seven points, until ASU tied the game at 29. AU was not to be denied and Shanks' service ace capped off a 31-29 win.
Auburn continued the momentum from game three and held the lead early in the fourth. With the Tigers up 11-10, Arizona State caught fire and outscored AU 20-5 the rest of the way, taking the fourth game and the match.
In the opening match of the tournament, Purdue defeated Virginia Tech, 3-1 (30-18, 30-22, 27-30, 30-21).
The Tigers return to action on Saturday as they continue the Auburn/Mizuno Challenge. Auburn will face Virginia Tech at noon and #16 Purdue at 4 p.m. at the Student Activities Center. Fans are encouraged to come out and cheer on the Tigers. Admission is free.