Oct. 11, 2017
AUBURN vs. LSU
11-4/4-2 vs. 13-4/4-2
MATCH
| Friday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. CT | |
| Auburn vs. LSU | ||
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The Auburn volleyball team (11-4, 4-2 SEC) kicks off a busy weekend hosting LSU Friday night in Auburn Arena. The match-up of the two Tiger squads is set for 7 p.m. CT and will be aired on SEC Network+ (WatchESPN).
PROMOTIONS
It's Kid's Club Day vs. LSU Friday in Auburn Arena! In addition to the inflatables and games, there will be free ice cream for members with their ID cards. Members will also be able to pick up the new Kid's Club passports ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" a book to bring to home events and receive a stamp from each sport they attend. At the end of the year, members will be able to redeem their passport for prizes based on the amount of stamps collected (grand total of 14 possible).
QUICK HITS
- The Auburn volleyball team traveled to No. 10 Kentucky last Sunday, Oct. 8, and fell to the Wildcats in four sets (25-19, 25-14, 30-32, 25-21) in Lexington.
- The contest was the fourth time this season that the Tigers faced a nationally-ranked opponent. All four matches have been played away from Auburn Arena.
- Senior libero Jesse Earl had a solid performance in the back row for Auburn, leading the match with 23 digs. It was the sixth time in the last seven matches that Earl has had 20 or more digs.
- At 11-4 overall, the Tigers are off to their best start since the 2012 season where Auburn opened with a 12-2 mark.
- The Auburn back row ranks third in the SEC with a 16.02 digs/set average, while the team's 16.71 mark in conference-only play is No. 1 in the league.
- Earl is averaging 5.33 digs/set to rank first in the conference and 23rd in the nation. Her 6.33 digs/set in SEC play is also first in the league. She has totaled double-digit digs in all 15 matches this year.
- Setter Alexa Filley is among the best in the SEC in assists so far this season, ranking third overall with a 10.70 assists/set average.
- Auburn ranks third in kills against league foes, having a 13.92 average. And behind solid play from Filley, the team's 12.83 assists/set is also third.
- Sophomore Shaina White is third in the conference and 12th in the nation in hitting efficiency, having 157 kills on the year with a .422 attack percentage. She set a career-high at Tennessee (10/4) with 19 kills.
- With the assistance of the solid back row play, the Tigers are fourth with a .195 opponent hitting percentage in conference-only action. The squad's .185 opponent clip overall is fifth.
WEEKLY RPI RANKING
- With a challenging non-conference schedule come and gone and a successful start to SEC play, the Tigers remain at the No. 21 spot in this week's RPI Report.
- Auburn has faced seven teams in the Top 50 so far this year and has a 3-4 record against those teams, including a pair of wins over No. 34 NC State and No. 45 North Carolina.
SCOUTING LSU
- LSU has a 13-4 overall record and is 4-2 in conference play. The Tigers are coming off a pair of wins at home last weekend, starting with a sweep of Mississippi State Friday. LSU followed with a 3-2 victory over Arkansas Sunday in the Maravich Center.
- The LSU Tigers were selected to finish ninth in the SEC according to the Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Freshman Taylor Bannister was named this week's SEC Freshman of the Week after totaling 35 kills over eight sets played for a 4.38 kills/set average.
- Bannister leads the team in kills with a 3.31 average. That mark is 10th in the SEC. Her 3.68 points/set is also 10th in the league.
- In conference-only play, Bannister is third with a 3.82 kills/set average.
- Sophomore middle blocker Jacqui Armer is the SEC leader in hitting percentage with a .536 clip in SEC-only matches. She's also eighth against league opponents with a 1.20 blocks/set mark.
A WIN OVER LSU WOULD...
- Give Auburn its fifth win in SEC play.
- Be Auburn's fifth win in the last seven meetings.
- Give Auburn its fourth-straight win over LSU in Auburn Arena.
AUBURN-LSU SERIES
- LSU leads the all-time series 41-14, dating back to 1977. Auburn has won four of the last six meetings.
- Prior to Auburn's win at home in 2013, LSU had won 22 straight dating back to 2001.
- This will be the 26th meeting between Auburn and LSU in Auburn. Auburn is 10-15 at home in the series and is 3-0 against LSU in Auburn Arena.
- The last three meetings have seen the two squads battle to five sets.
UP NEXT
Auburn heads to the state of Texas Sunday, Oct. 15, taking on Texas A&M. The Tigers and the Aggies will square off at 1:30 p.m. CT in College Station and the match will be broadcast live on SEC Network+.