Sept. 7, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn volleyball team hosts the Auburn Invitational, Sept. 9-10, in Auburn Arena, welcoming Memphis, Miami (OH) and Jacksonville to The Plains.
The Tigers kick off the weekend with a pair of matches Friday, taking on Memphis at noon and Miami (OH) at 7:30 p.m. CT. Auburn closes out the weekend with a 1:30 p.m. CT match vs. Jacksonville Saturday. Admission is free for all matches.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 9
Jacksonville vs. Miami (OH) -- 9:30 a.m.
Auburn vs. Memphis -- 12 p.m.
Memphis vs. Jacksonville -- 5 p.m.
Auburn vs. Miami (OH) -- 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Miami (OH) vs. Memphis -- 11 a.m.
Auburn vs. Jacksonville -- 1:30 p.m.
PARKING SATURDAY
Because of Auburn football's game vs. Arkansas State Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT in Jordan-Hare Stadium, parking for the second day of the Auburn Invitational will be altered.
Fans will park at Facilities Division at 1161 West Samford Ave. and will take the Tiger Transit to War Eagle Way. From War Eagle Way, fans are asked to walk to North Entrance of the Arena. The Tiger Transit will run continuously from 10:00 a.m. CT to 4:30 p.m. CT.
GAME BEFORE THE GAME
Help the volleyball team set a new attendance record Saturday and cheer on the Tigers before heading to the Auburn football game. Admission is free and the first 100 fans receive an Auburn Volleyball pint glass.
OTHER PROMOTIONS
Friday is "Christmas in September" as Auburn recognizes National Teddy Bear Day. There will be free Christmas sweater koozies given out (while supplies last) prior to Auburn's match vs. Miami (OH) and fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears. There will be a Teddy Toss at intermission with all stuffed animals going to the East Alabama Medical Center for the holiday season.
QUICK HITS
- Auburn traveled to Louisville, Ky., for the Active Ankle Challenge, Sept. 2-3, hosted by Louisville.
- The Tigers opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Stony Brook (9/2). Auburn totaled 11 service aces in the sweep.
- Auburn fell to a tough Santa Clara team to open Saturday's competition, 3-1.
- The team closed out the weekend with a come-from-behind victory over then-No. 21 Louisville, defeating the Cardinals in five sets.
- Sophomore Brenna McIlroy and junior Alexa Filley were placed on the all-tournament team.
- Junior Jesse Earl averaged 4.94 digs/set over 17 sets played last week and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts.
- Earl's 5.11 digs/set average currently leads all student-athletes in the SEC.
SCOUTING MEMPHIS
- The Tigers stand at 4-2 overall and come to Auburn after winning their own Tiger Invitational in Memphis.
- Memphis topped Jackson State (3-0), Eastern Illinois (3-0), and Louisiana Tech (3-1) over the two-day tournament.
SCOUTING MIAMI (OH)
- The Redhawks enter the weekend with a 3-4 record, having recently topped Xavier at home in four sets (Sept. 6).
- Last weekend, Miami traveled to Columbia, Mo. for the Tiger Invitational hosted by Missouri. After dropping a five-set match to Illinois State, the Redhawks regrouped to defeat Missouri in five sets, Sept. 3.
- Junior Katie Tomasic was placed on the all-tournament team and was recognized by the MAC, being named the East Division Offensive Player of the Week.
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE
- The Jacksonville Dolphins are 3-3 on the year after going 1-2 last weekend at the team's own JAX Classic.
- Freshman Mallory Mattingly is averaging a team-high 3.32 kills per set. Junior Jessica Armstrong is second with a 2.91 average and has a team-best 19 blocks on the year.
- Junior Mackenzie Swan is among the nation's best defensively, averaging 5.18 digs per set.
UP NEXT
The Tigers close out their non-conference slate with a trip to Michigan for the Michigan Invitational, Sept. 16-17. Auburn takes on nationally-ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor Friday night. The team then travels to Ypsilanti, Mich., for a pair of matches vs. Colgate and Eastern Michigan Saturday.