AUBURN, Ala. – With Southeastern Conference play looming, Auburn volleyball (6-0) returns to tournament action, welcoming Florida A&M, Nicholls and Belmont to Auburn Arena Friday and Saturday in the team's final weekend of non-conference play.
"It's a different challenge," said head coach Brent Crouch. "We have three matches over two days. We haven't done that yet this season. There is going to be a physical challenge in playing three matches in that short amount of time. There's also a mental challenge, too."
Auburn opens its three-match slate on Friday against Florida A&M. First serve is set for 12:30 p.m. CT. The Tigers return to the court against Nicholls later that evening with an 8 p.m. CT first serve. Friday's nightcap will be available on SEC Network+ with Graham Doty and Paige Wetzel on the call.
The Tigers round out nonconference play against Belmont on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT. The match will also be available to stream on SEC Network. Doty will be joined by April Zech for Sunday's call.
"I think it is great that we are given this opportunity prior to SEC play because we will have tough conference matches that will be on back-to-back days, so it is a similar format," Crouch added. "Being able to get out of this weekend healthy and continuing to progress in some areas will prepare us for conference play."
All three matches will also be available on WEGL 91.1 and on the Auburn Sports Network.
HURRICANE IDA RELIEF
As Nicholls continues its relief efforts due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, fans interesting in providing help via financial relief can DONATE HERE.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 17
Nicholls vs. Belmont – 10 a.m. CT
Auburn vs. Florida A&M – 12:30 p.m. CT
Florida A&M vs. Belmont – 5:30 p.m. CT
Auburn vs. Nicholls – 8 p.m. CT
Saturday, Sept. 18
Florida A&M vs. Nicholls – 11 a.m. CT
Auburn vs. Belmont – 1:30 p.m. CT
QUICK HITS
- Standing at the top of the SEC with Ole Miss as the only remaining undefeated programs in the conference, Auburn is off to its first 6-0 start since 2012. The 2012 squad went 8-0 before dropping its first match of the season.
- Leading the conference with a 5.45 digs/set average, Bella Rosenthall enters the weekend as the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Week and has recorded at least 10 digs in six consecutive matches. She is the first Tiger to win the award since Jesse Earl in 2017.
- After making the move to middle blocker, Tatum Shipes has shine at the position for the Tigers. Shipes currently ranks second in the SEC and 12th overall in the country with a 1.55 block/set average.
SCOUTING TOURNAMENT FIELD
FLORIDA A&M
Florida A&M enters the weekend with a 5-4 overall record and is one of the top offensive threats in the SWAC. The Lady Rattlers currently lead the SWAC in 12 categories, including assists, aces and kills per set while boasting the conference's leading team hitting percentage and best win percentage in the league.
Dominique Washington is the heart of Florida A&M's offense as she leads the team with an 5.09 kills per set and 5.58 points per set averages. Washington as totaled 163 kills this season. She leads the SWAC in all three categories and ranks fourth nationally in kills per set.
At the service line, Emerald Jacobs paces the team with 11 aces, averaging 0.34 a set. The team has recorded 46 aces this season.
Irem Ucar has served as Florida A&M's setter this season. Ucar averages 9.66 assists/set to lead the league. Ucar has also added nine aces from the service line.
As a team, Florida A&M average 17.19 digs per set with Jessica Long leading the way. Long has totaled 165 digs this season and holds a 5.16 digs/set average.
Washington ranks second on the squad with a 4.25 dig/set mark. Washington is also one of Florida A&M's top blockers with 16.0 total. Aybuke Kocabiyik is right behind with 15.0 stuffs.
NICHOLLS
Nicholls also stands as a tough challenge as they currently lead the Southland in kills/set and hitting percentage. Nicholls currently holds the best winning percentage of the league with a 6-3 mark.
The Nicholls offense is evenly spaced as four Colonels have recorded 50+ kills this season. Paige Guidry paces the way with a 2.92 kills/set average behind a team-leading 76 total kills. Aaliyah Burras leads the Southland with a .350 hitting percentage and has chipped in 66 kills. At the service line, Burras ranks fourth in conference with 14 aces as she averages 0.45 per set.
Calling the Colonel offense is Lilly Bivens. Bivens averages 7.06 assists per set and has carried the team to a .230 hitting percentage.
Defensively, Kylie Lockhard coves the most floor with 111 digs to her credit to average 3.47 per set. Guidry ranks second on the squad with a 2.35 digs/set average. At the net, Nicholls has totaled 55.0 team blocks with Burras pacing the way with 25.0 total. S'mara Riley as chipped in 23.0 blocks, including a team-leading five solo stuffs.
BELMONT
After picking up victories in its first two matches of the season, Belmont has struggled with five consecutive losses.
Taylor Floyd leads the Belmont offense as she averages 3.13 kills per set. Floyd has totaled 75 kills this season and holds a .250 attack percentage. As a team Belmont averages 11.46 kills per set.
Carly Mason has handled the majority of the setting duties for the Bears as she averages 6.21 assists per set. Izzy Schauer has also seen some action setting and hold a 3.41 assists/set mark.
The Bears are strong at the service line with 51 total aces. Belmont has two players, Rachel McBride and Laura Shoopman, with double-digit aces this season.
Defensively, the Bears are equally spread. McBride has the slightest advantage with a team-leading 95 digs to average 4.52 a set. The Bears have four additional players with at least 40+ digs this season.
At the net, Kailee Bass leads the team with 25.0 total blocks. Sydney Willis has racked up 22.0 total blocks this season. As a team, Belmont averages 2.25 blocks a set.
ATTENDANCE AND FAN POLICIES
Arena doors will open one hour prior to each match. The Arena will be cleared of all spectators following Auburn's match versus Florida A&M on Friday.
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
The finale of Auburn's 10-match homestand ushers the beginning of SEC play. The Tigers welcome Ole Miss to Auburn Arena on Wednesday, Sept. 22. First serve at 8 p.m. CT and will be aired nationally on ESPNU.