AUBURN, Ala. – Following its most dramatic victory of the season, Auburn Volleyball heads back out on the road for a matchup with Missouri in Columbia. First serve for both Saturday and Sunday's matches are slated for 1 p.m. CT.
QUICK HITS
Kendal Kemp's aggressive net presence accumulated 20 total blocks across nine sets against Georgia last weekend. The Eagan, Minnesota native ranks first in the SEC and seventh in the nation with 99 total blocks this season. As a team, the Tigers average 2.82 blocks per set with 189 total blocks.
Kemp's 99 total blocks on the season are the fifth-most compiled by any Tiger in Auburn Volleyball history. With two more blocks, Kemp would pass Breanna Barksdale to move into fourth place.
As a team, the Tigers are the best blocking team in the Southeastern Conference. At 2.82 blocks per set and 189 total blocks, Auburn paces the SEC and ranks No. 8 and No. 11 in the country in the respective categories.
In the back row, Sarah Morton's defensive energy racked up a season-high 26 digs on Sunday. The freshman libero ranks third in the conference in digs per set (4.21) and third in total digs (282).
The block, combined with the Orange and Blue's rangy defenders are keeping opponents to a .151 hitting percentage this season, the best in the SEC and No. 8 in the nation.
Auburn enters the weekend with an RPI ranking of 32, its second-highest in team history.
SCOUTING MISSOURI
Missouri enters this weekend's matchup in Columbia with a 7-8 overall record and an 0-5 conference mark. Now in his fourth season, head coach Joshua Taylor holds a 50-50 career record.
The Tiger's defensive power comes from Leandra Mangual-Duran, a senior outside hitter who currently ranks fourth in the SEC in digs per set (4.02). At the net, middle blocker Trista Stasser leads the team in blocks per set (1.05).
On the offensive side, outside hitter Kaylee Cox ranks second in the SEC in attacks per set (10.24) and fifth in aces per set (0.38). Cox is also fifth in the conference in points per set (4.46).
As a team, Mizzou is one of the best back row teams in the SEC, piling up 15.45 digs per set.
AUBURN-MISSOURI SERIES
Auburn has won just two matches in 15 meetings with Missouri. However, it was current head coach Brent Crouch who broke the losing streak with a sweep of Mizzou in Neville Arena last season.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return to Neville Arena for a fearsome Friday night matchup with Tennessee. The 7 p.m. match also marks Auburn's annual dig pink game.
Auburn Volleyball faces road test at Missouri
