Oct. 1, 2010
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn volleyball team earned a three-set sweep over Mississippi State, 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-23), Friday evening at the Student Activities Center. The Tigers improve to 12-5 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, while the Bulldogs fall to 9-6 on the season and 1-3 in the conference.
"We didn't play up to the level we know we can, but it is very good to get a three-set win in the SEC," head coach Wade Benson said. "We're now looking forward to Sunday's match against our rival Alabama and hope to see a lot of fans out to support us."
Junior setter Christina Solverson picked up her first double-double of the season, tallying 20 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore Sarah Bullock finished with a match-high 12 kills and senior libero Liz Crouch had 14 digs on the night.
Senior Alyssa Davis recorded eight kills and two blocks for the Tigers, while classmate Morgan Johns had seven kills. Junior Kelly Fidero had six kills and a team-best four blocks for Auburn.
Caitlin Rance led the way for MSU, finishing with 10 kills and eight digs. Libero Kayla Woodard had 16 digs, while setter Paris Perret finished with 24 assists. Ashley Newsome had a match-high eight blocks for the Bulldogs.
A kill by sophomore Katherine Culwell led to a 4-2 Auburn lead at the start of set one and a kill by Johns and a service ace from Crouch gave the Tigers an 8-5 advantage. A three-point run by Auburn pushed the Tigers up at 16-11 and a final 8-2 Auburn rally gave the Tigers the 25-16 win.
Mississippi State took a 5-3 lead in the second set, but a 5-1 Auburn run put the Tigers up at 8-6. The Bulldogs came back to tie the set at nine and fought to take a three-point advantage at 17-14. A kill by Johns, however triggered an 11-4 Auburn rally at the end of the set and solidified the 25-21 set-two win for the Tigers.
The start of final set was a battle between the two teams until, at 11-10 MSU, a kill by Davis set off a 6-1 Auburn run to give the Tigers the 16-12 lead. The Bulldogs came back to tie the set at 17, but kills from Fidero and Bullock pushed Auburn ahead at 19-17. Kills by Bullock, Fidero and Culwell secured an Auburn 25-23 victory.
The Tigers welcome in-state rival Alabama to the Student Activities Center Sunday for a 1:30 p.m. match up. It is "Beat Bama" day and admission is free.