Tigers Return to Auburn Arena for Two SEC Matches

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Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics

AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn volleyball team finally returns home for a consistent Southeastern Conference weekend, hosting Ole Miss and Arkansas in Auburn Arena. Both matches will be aired on SEC+/WatchESPN.
 
The Tigers and the Rebels will go head-to-head Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. CT. Auburn caps the weekend vs. the Razorbacks Sunday, Oct. 28, at 1:30 p.m. CT.
 
"It's been a long stretch since we've been home and we're ready to be in front of our fans this weekend," head coach Rick Nold said. "We love competing for the Auburn Family and we have a great group of kids that want to win and show what they can do. So we're looking forward to this weekend."
 
PROMOTIONS
Join us Friday on National Pumpkin Day! Come out to paint and decorate your very own pumpkin! All supplies will be provided so just bring your creativity!
 
Sunday's contest vs. Arkansas is our annual Dig Pink match! Wear your pink and pick up your own pink Auburn volleyball rally towels.
 
As always, admission for volleyball matches in Auburn Arena are free.  
 
QUICK HITS
- Auburn is 8-11 overall with a 1-8 mark in the Southeastern Conference.
- Senior Brenna McIlroy reached another career milestone last Friday at Missouri (10/19), recording the 1,000th dig of her career. With that number, she became the seventh Tiger to achieve that number in both kills and digs while on the Plains.
- Sophomore Anna Stevenson is among the conference's best, ranking third in overall block average (1.24), while her 1.38 mark vs. SEC-only opponents is also third.  
- Junior middle blocker Shaina White has become an efficient part of the Tiger offense this year. White's .340 hitting clip on the season overall stands seventh among the Southeastern Conference.
- White holds a .422 hitting percentage in league-only matches, but she is not averaging three attempts per set to be ranked among the league.
- Freshman Mica Allison as earned the starting nod in all matches at setter for the Tigers the year.  The White Heath, Ill., native is fifth in the Southeastern Conference with a 9.70 assists/set average.
- Auburn's 2018 schedule boasts 10 2017 NCAA Tournament participants.
 
UP NEXT
Auburn remains on the Plains, hosting Texas A&M for a Wednesday-night showdown. The Tigers and the Aggies will go head-to-head on Halloween, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
 
SCOUTING OLE MISS
- The Ole Miss Rebels stand at 12-11 on the season with a 2-7 mark in the Southeastern Conference.
- The Rebels split last weekend at home, falling to nationally-ranked Florida in four sets Friday before topping rival Mississippi State, 3-1, Sunday.
- Junior outside hitter Emily Stroup leads the SEC with a 4.57 kills/set mark. Her 5.00 points/set is second overall.
- Stroup's 4.56 kills/set in conference-only matches ranks second.  
 
A WIN OVER OLE MISS WOULD...
- Be Auburn's sixth-straight win over the Rebels and 10th in the last 12 meetings.
- Be Auburn's third-straight win in Auburn Arena over Ole Miss.
 
AUBURN-OLE MISS SERIES
- Friday's match will be the 65th meeting between the two teams. The Rebels hold a 34-30 series record.
- Auburn stands at 15-14 overall in matches played on the Plains. The Tigers have won three-straight at home.
- The series dates back to 1974. Auburn and Ole Miss faced off in 11-straight neutral site matches until 1987.
 
SCOUTING ARKANSAS
- The Arkansas Razorbacks are 9-10 overall and with 3-6 record in the Southeastern Conference. The squad faces Mississippi State on the road Wednesday prior to coming to Auburn Sunday.
- The Razorback swept South Carolina last week Wednesday (Oct. 17) before dropping a 3-1 contest to Alabama (Oct. 21).
- Senior libero Okiana Valle leads the conference with a 5.00 digs/set mark and recently earned SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Her 5.65 average vs. league-only opponents also ranks first.
 
A WIN OVER ARKANSAS WOULD...
- Be Auburn's fourth win over the Razorbacks in the last five meetings.
- Be Auburn's third-straight win in Auburn Arena over Arkansas.
 
AUBURN-ARKANSAS SERIES
- Sunday's match is the 48th meeting between the two teams since the series started in 1994. Arkansas holds a 36-11 record, winning 24 of the first 25 meetings.