Sept. 7, 2017
War Eagle Invitational
MATCH
| Friday, Sept. 8 | 6 p.m. CT | |
| Auburn vs. South Alabama | ||
| Saturday, Sept. 9 | 6 p.m. CT | |
| Auburn vs. Clemson | ||
AUBURN, Ala. -- The Auburn volleyball team is set to host the annual War Eagle Invitational, Sept. 8-9, in Auburn Arena. The Tigers welcome South Alabama and Clemson for the two-day tournament, opening with a match vs. the Jaguars Friday at 6 p.m. CT. USA and Clemson go head-to-head Saturday at 12 p.m. CT and the two Tiger squads close out the weekend that evening with another 6 p.m. CT match.
QUICK HITS
- The Tigers (5-1) had a successful showing at the ACC/SEC Puerto Rico Clasico in Bayamon, P.R., last weekend, taking on then-No. 16 North Carolina and NC State in the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez.
- Auburn opened with a 3-1 upset win over the nationally-ranked Tar Heels Saturday, Sept. 2. The squad followed with a 3-2 comeback win vs. the Wolfpack Sunday, Sept. 3.
- The Tigers will have faced five ACC opponents by the end of the non-conference slate. In addition to last weekend's results, Auburn opened the season with a 3-0 win over Georgia Tech. The squad is slated to cap its non-conference schedule at Miami (Fla.) Saturday, Sept. 16.
- Sophomore Shaina White is second in the SEC with a .554 hitting percentage. Senior Alexa Filley is fourth in the league with a 10.55 assists/set average, while senior Jesse Earl is also in the top 10 with a 4.14 digs/set average.
PROMOTIONS
- It's Kid's Carnival weekend in Auburn Arena! The Kid's Zone will be open at the Scholarship Entry both nights and there will also be a poster-making contest. Admission to all Auburn volleyball matches is free.
SCOUTING SOUTH ALABAMA
- The South Alabama Jaguars come to The Plains with a 3-3 mark on the season. The team recently held the Jaguar Invitational and came away with a 2-1 record on the weekend, falling to Alabama before defeating McNeese State and Southern Miss. USA then traveled to Montgomery Tuesday and swept Alabama State, 3-0.
- Junior Kristina Alabasto and sophomore Kelley Hartman were placed on the All-Tournament team following the weekend's competition. The pair are second and third on the squad, respectively, with a 2.48 and 2.17 kills per set average on the season.
- Sophomore Iva Durdanovic leads USA with 69 kills on the year and a 3.00 kills/set average.
- Redshirt senior Abby Baker leads the backrow with 91 digs on the year and a 3.96 digs/set average.
A WIN OVER SOUTH ALABAMA WOULD...
- Would be Auburn's 20th win over the Jaguars in program history.
- Be the team's fifth-straight victory on the season.
SCOUTING CLEMSON
- The Clemson Tigers stand at 4-3 overall and are coming off a 1-2 showing at the Yale Invitational this past weekend. The team fell to Rhode Island in four sets to open up competition Friday and followed with a sweep of Delaware early Saturday. The Tigers dropped a three-set match to tournament host Yale to cap the road trip.
- Head coach Michaela Franklin is in her first season with the program.
- Sophomore Kaylin Korte leads the Tigers in offense, having 93 kills and a 3.72 kills/set average. Junior setter Caroline Pearson is averaging 10.54 assists/set on the year.
- Freshman libero Madi Howell has totaled 80 digs on the year for a 3.20 average.
A WIN OVER CLEMSON WOULD...
- Give Auburn its fourth win this season over an ACC opponent.
- Be the team's fifth victory vs. Clemson in program history.
UP NEXT
Auburn caps its non-conference slate on the road, traveling to Miami, Fla., for the UM/FIU Invitational. The Tigers are set to face James Madison and Florida International Friday, Sept. 15, on FIU's campus. The team then concludes the weekend with a 10:30 a.m. CT match at Miami Saturday, Sept. 16.