AUBURN, Ala. – Off to the program's best start since 2012, Auburn volleyball (5-0) continues its homestand on Sunday with a challenge against West Coast Conference foe Santa Clara (3-4) at 1:30 p.m. CT at Auburn Arena.
"Santa Clara is part of a very solid conference," said head coach Brent Crouch. "It's probably one of the top eight volleyball conferences in the county. Santa Clara was a Final Four team 15 years ago. This is going to be another step up in terms of competition, and we're excited that we get another home match."
Sunday's match was added following the cancellation of a midweek contest scheduled against New Orleans. New Orleans were not able to travel due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
Due to conflicts with other athletic events on campus, Sunday's match will not be streamed.
QUICK HITS
- Standing at the top of the SEC standings with Ole Miss as the only remaining undefeated programs in the conference, Auburn is off to its first 5-0 start since 2012. Having not drop a set in 2021, Auburn has now opened the season with five straight sweeps to tie the program record that was set by the 1974 squad.
- After totaling 32 kills to continue her stranglehold as the SEC's leader in kills/set, Rebekah Rath was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week. Since is the first Tiger to win the award since Brenna McIlroy won the award on Oct. 30, 2017.
- Leading the conference with a 5.93 digs/set average, Bella Rosenthall is off to a hot start to her senior campaign with four straight 10+ dig matches. She is looking to become just the 15th Tiger in program history to record 1,000 career digs. Rosenthall would be the first to do so since Brenna McIlroy (2015-2018). She enters the weekend with 805 career digs.
- Defense has been key to Auburn's early success to begin the season. The Tigers lead the SEC and rank 14th nationally with a 2.97 blocks/set average. The Tigers also lead the league by holding opponents to a .082 hitting percentage and a 16.20 digs per/set mark.
SCOUTING SANTA CLARA
After dropping its first three matches of the season, Santa Clara has found its rhythm to win three of its last four matches. The Broncos knocked off South Carolina and Clemson over the weekend in four-set contests as part of a tournament hosted by Kennesaw State.
Offensively, Michelle Shaffer leads the team with 94 total kills, averaging 3.62 per set. Julia Sangiacomo ranks fourth in the WCC with a 3.71 kills per set average. She has totaled 89 kills this season. Sangiacomo also leads the team with 14 aces from the service line.
Starting setter Nive Tuileta has dished out 254 assists this season to average 9.77 per set. Her total assists mark is good for sixth in the conference. She has also added 13 kills, 11 blocks and 49 digs.
Defensively, Kat Georgiadis leads the team with 116 total digs. She ranks second in the West Coast Conference with 4.46 digs per set. At the net, the Broncos have recorded 35.0 total blocks led by Alex Anthony's 19 stuffs.
ATTENDANCE AND FAN POLICIES
Arena doors will open one hour prior to each match.
All fans and students will enter Auburn Arena at the Scholarship Entrance. Sections A-N will be open for seating on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seats directly behind the team benches will be marked and unavailable for fans to provide a buffer for competing student-athletes and coaches.
Auburn University currently requires all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings inside all Auburn University buildings, which includes Auburn Arena.
Fans will be able to use the restrooms and concessions in the Aubie Chow area accessed via the Northwest tunnel. The Team Shop will be set up by Aubie Chow for fans attending the matches. The main Team Shop location located by the North Main Entrance will be open during regular business hours and will only be accessible from the exterior of Auburn Arena.
All transactions for concessions and merchandise locations at Auburn Arena will be contactless and cashless (credit/debit and Tiger Cards only).
For the full list of attendance and safety protocols CLICK HERE.
UP NEXT
Auburn continues its homestand with its final weekend of non-conference play. Auburn will welcome Florida A&M, Nicholls State and Belmont for a tournament at Auburn Arena on Friday and Saturday. The Tigers open the tournament on Friday versus Florida A&M at 12:30 p.m. CT.