Oct. 12, 2008
AUBURN - Jessica Glover and Olympia Haney combined for 22 kills, but costly Auburn errors down the stretch ended in a 3-0 (22-25, 15-25, 22-25) loss to LSU Sunday afternoon in the Student Activities Center.
With the loss, Auburn falls to 5-14 on the season, 0-8 in SEC play, while LSU improved to 9-6, 4-4 in the conference.
AU stayed with LSU throughout most of the match, leading late in the first and third sets, but the Bayou Bengals were able to rally in both sets for the victory. Errors told the story for Auburn in the loss as AU tallied only three fewer kills, but 11 more attack errors than LSU. Auburn also had five service errors and allowed six LSU aces.
"We did some really good things today, we are battling every time we are on the court," said head coach Wade Benson. "We could have won the third set, but it is the nature of the beast, being so young this season."
After a tough 25-15 loss in the second set, Benson said he was proud of the composure shown by his team as they tried to pull out the third-set win.
"After losing 25-15 in the second set, I was really happy with how we came out in the third set," said Benson. "Instead of just folding, we showed a lot of pride and guts and came out and pushed them."
Glover led the Tigers in the match, posting a match-high 12 kills and a .269 attack percentage along with an ace and seven digs. The lone senior on the squad has picked up her play since SEC play began, checking in with a .317 attack percentage in eight SEC matches.
"Jess has really taken the team on her back," said Benson. "The teams in our conference know that the ball is going to her and she does a great job. She is building a foundation for us as far as players on the team looking up to her."
Right behind her was Haney, one of Auburn's six freshmen, as she tallied 10 kills and a block. Sara Shanks and Christina Solverson split the setting duties for Auburn, tallying 20 and 11 assists, respectively.
On the defensive end, Liz Crouch led the way for AU with 17 digs, followed by eight from Shanks. Sophomore Alyssa Davis led the Auburn blocking attack with three.
For LSU, it was Kyna Washington leading the team with 11 kills and seven digs. Brittney Johnson was the team's most efficient attacker, posting an error-free eight kills for a .615 attack percentage. Defensively, Johnson led the team with 11 kills and four blocks while Brittnee Cooper added another six blocks.
Auburn continues its four-match homestand at 7 p.m., Oct. 17 as the Tigers take on SEC-leading Florida. The Gators, currently ranked No. 9 in the nation, sport a 14-1 overall record and a perfect 8-0 SEC mark.