AUBURN, Ala. – Freshmen Tatum Shipes and Mica Allison of the Auburn volleyball team were honored by the Southeastern Conference as the pair were placed on the SEC All-Freshman Team, the league office announced Sunday.
"We've had a lot of young players step up to play key roles for us this year," head coach Rick Nold said. "It's really great to see these two be recognized for their contributions."
The duo became fifth and sixth Tigers to be placed on the conference's newcomer team. Four student-athletes have earned the honor under Nold, including senior Brenna McIlroy and junior Gwyn Jones.
Shipes, a 6-4 outside hitter from Buford, Ga., played in 15 of the team's 18 SEC matches and totaled double-digit kills in eight of those contests. That included a 21-kill performance in Auburn's five-set victory over the Rebels (Oct. 26). Her 2.72 kills/set mark vs. SEC-only opponents came in second on the squad, while her 2.49 overall average finished third.
In addition, Shipes provided height at the net defensively and totaled 21 blocks for the Tigers in conference play for a .45 average.
Shipes was named the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week, Oct. 29, for her play against Ole Miss and Arkansas at home. Against the Razorbacks, she had 12 kills on 22 attempts for a .409 hitting clip to go with her career-high 21 strikes vs. the Rebels.
Allison, a 6-1 setter from White Heath, Ill., started every match in the position for the Tigers in 2018. She finished the year with a 10.05 assists/set average, reaching 1,055 helpers on the season. Her average and season total both finished fourth in the SEC. Against league-only opponents, Allison had a 10.01 assists average to come in fifth.
In addition, Allison finished with five double-doubles (assists/digs), including three in SEC play. Her 1.82 digs/set average on the year finished fourth on the team.
Allison picked up a weekly honor this year, being named the SEC's Setter of the Week, Oct. 29, following big performances at home against Ole Miss (Oct. 26) and Arkansas (Oct. 28).
The youthful Auburn team concluded 2018 with a 12-16 overall record and a 5-13 mark in SEC play.
