LEXINGTON, Ky. – In another tough battle against a top-five opponent, Auburn volleyball found offensive rhythm late but dropped straight sets to No. 2 Kentucky inside Memorial Coliseum Saturday afternoon.
After dropping the opening set 14-25, Auburn (0-5, 0-5 SEC) came to play in set two, fighting off a pair of set points to give Kentucky (5-0, 0-5 SEC) a run late, but the Wildcats answered for the 16-25 victory.
Auburn's most competitive set came in the third. After falling behind 1-3, Auburn went on a 3-0 run with help of two kills from junior outside hitter Tatum Shipes to take a 4-3 lead. The Wildcats tied the set up at 4-4, but Shipes once again handed Auburn the lead with a kill.
A 3-0 run put Kentucky out front, but the Tigers battled back once more to lock the third set up, 8-all, with a block from senior outside Lauren Dorrell and freshman opposite Audrey Douglas. The Tiger couldn't continue to match Kentucky's offense as the Wildcats pulled away midway through the set to win 15-25.
Shipes and Dorrell led Auburn's offense as the pair each tallied eight kills. Six of Shipes' eight kills came in the final set. Dorrell turned in the most efficient hitting performance only committing two errors on her 23 attempts for a .261 attack percentage. Seeing action for the first time on the outside, senior Jaeden Brown tallied a season-high six kills.
Freshman Jackie Barrett earned her third consecutive start at setter, dishing out 18 assists. Senior Payton White added five assists as starting libero, tying her season high.
White led Auburn at the service line with two aces. She now leads the Tigers with four service aces this season.
Auburn's blocking effort was solid as the Tigers out-blocked Kentucky, 7.0 to 6.0. Auburn has now out-block its opponent in three of its five matches this fall. Senior Chesney McClellan led Auburn at the net with four blocks, while Dorrell and Shipes were both credited with three each.
Rounding out Auburn's defensive performance, White led the Tigers with eight digs. Dorrell matched her career high with six digs. Junior Bella Rosenthall closed the afternoon with five.
UP NEXT
The Tigers wrap up their road scheduled with a rematch against the Wildcats on Sunday. First serve on the SECN Network is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
Tigers tangle with No. 2 Wildcats in Lexington
