Nov. 19, 2006
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -
The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Auburn University volleyball team dropped its final match of the season as the Tigers fell to Tennessee, 3-1 (30-22, 27-30, 30-18, 30-27) on Sunday at the Stokely Athletic Center in Knoxville. The loss gives UT the season-series, 2-0. With the loss, AU finished 13-18 overall and 5-15 in the SEC, while Tennessee improved to 19-11 overall and 10-10 in the conference.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
Junior Rachel Shanks led the Tigers with 20 kills and 14 digs for her 20th double-double of the season and 12th-straight match with 10-plus kills. Junior Jelena Sekulic recorded 21 digs, while sophomore Jessica Glover collected her 17th double-double with 10 kills and 18 digs. Seniors Julie Bosler and Dalia Naidzinaviciute chipped-in 10 and eight kills, respectively. Bosler also added five blocks and Dala dug six balls.
"It's a tough way to end the season," head coach Laura Farina said. "Tennessee is a very good team. I am proud of some of the things we have accomplished this season, and we will look to build for next year."
The two teams started out even to begin game one, but a 6-0 run by UT gave the Lady Vols a 14-7 lead. AU answered with a four unanswered points to aid a 6-1 run to pull within three. The Tigers pulled within one as many as three times, but Tennessee pulled away and took game one, 30-22.
Auburn came out firing in game two with 5-0 run, forcing UT to call an early timeout. A Glover ace added to the run before the Lady Vols recorded their first point. Auburn was able to keep UT at arm's length until Tennessee began chipping away and evened the score at 17. After exchanging points, the Tigers were able to score three unanswered to take a 23-20 advantage, forcing another UT timeout. The Lady Vols responded with three-straight points of their own, causing AU to take a timeout at 23-all. Tennessee finally took its first lead of the stanza at 25-24, but Auburn answered and regained the lead at 27-26. The Tigers finished game two on a 5-1 run and headed into intermission with a 30-27 win.
The Tigers continued the momentum and roared out to a 6-2 lead in game three. Down 7-3, UT went on a 7-1 run to take the 10-8 advantage. Tennessee remained hot and forced Auburn to take its second timeout, ahead 15-9. The Lady Vols continued to apply pressure and took the third, 30-18.
AU came out strong again in game four, leading 5-2 early. UT tied the stanza at six, and took the lead on the next point. Tennessee stretched its lead to as many as seven (19-12), but Auburn fought back and used an 8-1 run to tie the game at 21. After exchanging points, the Tigers took the lead at 23-22, but UT evened it back up at 23. The squads battled back-and-forth until UT took a 29-27 lead and recorded the next point on a ball handling error to win, 30-27.
The match marked the end to the Tigers' season as well as the final match for seniors Julie Bosler and Dalia Naidzinaviciute. Auburn's 13 wins were five more than it compiled in 2005.