Sept. 22, 2006
AUBURN, Ala. -
The Auburn University volleyball team swept Alabama, 3-0 (30-21, 30-26, 30-18) on Friday, before a crowd of 1,211 at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. The win improves the Tigers to 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the SEC, while the Crimson Tide fall to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in the SEC.
The win broke a streak of 12-straight losses to the Crimson Tide, and was the first win over Alabama since a Nov. 9, 1999 showdown in Tuscaloosa. It also marked the first sweep over the Crimson Tide since Nov. 10, 1998 in Auburn.
Sophomore Jessica Glover recorded a double-double as she notched 13 kills and 12 digs. Junior Rachel Shanks added 15 digs and nine kills, while senior Julie Bosler came up big defensively with six blocks.
"I am so proud of the way our team played tonight," head coach Laura Farina said. "The crowd was amazing and they really helped push us to a win."
In game one, the Tigers took an early 7-3 lead. The Tide narrowed the margin to 7-6, but would get no closer the rest of the game, as Glover and juniors Jelena Sekulic and Whitney Jacob each totaled three kills in the opening frame.
The two teams traded points to begin game two, and were tied at nine before an 8-2 run pushed AU's lead to six. Alabama battled back to tie the game at 20 and took a two point lead on the next two points, only to see the Tigers string together four-straight points of their own to take back the lead. Auburn held off the Crimson Tide the rest of the way and took game two, 30-26.
After trailing 7-6 in game three, AU went on a 7-0 run to take command of the frame. Glover's five kills and Bosler's five blocks in the game helped the Tigers run away with it and take game three 30-18, and with it, the match.
The Tigers remain at home to host No. 17 Tennessee on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. CT and Kentucky on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m. Both matches will be played at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.