Sept. 13, 2014
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AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn volleyball team stormed back from an early two-set deficit, but fell 3-2 to the USF Bulls (22-25, 22-25, 33-31, 25-15, 13-15) in the final match of the Active Ankle Challenge on Saturday night at Auburn Arena,
Auburn (5-4) dropped the first two sets, but rallied back by winning a marathon third set and claiming the fourth game to force a deciding frame. Down 14-10 in the fifth set, Auburn staved off three match points, but the Bulls (4-5) claimed the match on a kill from tournament MVP Erin Fairs to down the Tigers.
"I think we've learned something every week. We didn't come out and start the way we wanted to, but after two games down we fought back and started to put pressure on USF," Auburn head coach Rick Nold said. "Each tournament we've gotten better and we've seen things every week that we've got to work. "
Macy Reece led the Tigers with a career-high 25 kills, which is tied for the fifth-most kills in a single match in school history. The freshman is the first Tiger to have 25-plus kills in a match since former Tiger Kelly Fidero recorded 27 at Alabama in 2011. Reece hit .417 and also added in three blocks, two digs and a service ace for the Tigers.
"The job that Macy Reece did tonight was phenomenal. Having never play outside on a consistent basis, she's worked on her timing and she's been aggressive. It really showed tonight," Nold said of the freshman.
Stephanie Campbell chipped in 12 kills for the Tigers along with five blocks, while Emily Klitzke caught fire for Auburn late in the match, finishing with 10 kills and five blocks, including three solo stops. As a team, Auburn posted a season-high 18 blocks, the most in a match by the Tigers since 2012, to the hold advantage in the blocking game, 18-9.
Alexa Filley dished 55 assists for the second straight match, and also tied Alyssa Ivey for the team-high with 19 digs in the match to pick her fourth double-double of the year.
The loss snapped Auburn's eight-game winning streak at Auburn Arena. The Tigers moved to 1-1 in matches that have gone to five sets this season after defeating Winthrop in an earlier match Saturday that went the distance.
Auburn faces a quick turnaround and will take No. 7 Florida State on the road in Tallahassee, Fla., on Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT.
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