Sept. 10, 2010
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Auburn volleyball team opened the 2010 C of C Classic with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-17) sweep over Oregon State on the campus of College of Charleston. The win marks the first-ever win over a Pac-10 team for the Tigers and gives Auburn an 8-2 overall record to start the season, a mark that hasn't been reached since 1999.
"It was a very grown-up win for this team," head coach Wade Benson said. "To be down in the first and second sets and keep our composure to win was a mature effort for us. Our attack percentage was against a Pac-10 team and I'm proud of our efforts."
Sophomore Sarah Bullock recorded her first double-double of the season, tallying 12 kills and 12 digs to lead the Tigers. Freshman Camila Jersonsky and junior Kelly Fidero added eight kills each with Jersonsky also having three blocks on the day.
Senior libero Liz Crouch finished with a match-high 20 digs for Auburn. Setters Christina Solverson and Chelsea Wintzinger finished with 24 and 17 assists, respectively. As a whole, the Tigers finished the day with a .306 attack percentage.
Jill Sawatzky led Oregon State (3-5) with 14 kills and 10 digs, while Mona Kressi finished with six kills and five blocks. Libero Becky Defoe also finished with 10 digs for the Beavers.
The Beavers started the first set with a 7-3 run and then followed with an 11-5 lead. With Oregon State's lead reaching to 19-11, the Tigers began to attack as the team used a pair of kills from Fidero and from Jersonky to bring the score within two at 20-18. A kill by Jonelle Wallace triggered another major Auburn run and, with the score locked at 24 each, a kill by Bullock and a service ace by Wallace gave the Tigers a 26-24 win.
The second set began like the first as Oregon State opened strong to take a 10-6 advantage. However, a pair of kills from Jersonsky and one by Morgan Johns tied the set at 14 apiece. Down 19-17, the Tigers used a 9-1 rally to win the set, 25-20. Highlighting the late Auburn run were a pair of kills and service aces by Bullock.
The Tigers found themselves down early in third set at 7-5, but a kill by Johns triggered a 6-1 Auburn rally to give the Tigers an 11-8 advantage. A kill from Bullock and a service ace from Wintzinger put Auburn up, 13-9, and a late 7-1 Tiger run led to a 25-17 set three victory.
The Tigers resume competition at the C of C Classic Saturday with a 1 p.m. EST match against host College of Charleston. Auburn closes out the tournament against Cincinnati Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. EST.