AUBURN, Ala. – After a hard-fought split with Missouri, Auburn Volleyball returns to Neville Arena to face the Lady Vols for the Tiger's Dig Pink match.
QUICK HITS
Kendal Kemp's consistent blocking power surpassed the 100-block mark this weekend with six blocks against Missouri. The Eagan, Minnesota native holds the Tiger's fourth-highest number of blocks in a single season and the best in the SEC with 105.
Libero Sarah Morton covered the back end, grabbing 16 digs on Saturday and 14 digs on Sunday. Morton has exceeded 10 digs per match for 17 games this season, earning her the No. 2 conference ranking for total digs (311).
Akasha Anderson's powerful swing racked up 20 kills on Saturday and 22 kills on Sunday, hitting the 20-kill mark for the sixth time this season and third consecutive match. The freshman pin hitter ranks first in the SEC for total points (319.5) and second for total kills (281).
Auburn's defensive strategy holds opponents to only a .174 hitting percentage, the second-best in the conference. Overall, the Tigers rank third for blocks per set (2.61) and service aces per set (1.75) going into Friday's match against Tennessee.
Head coach Brent Crouch's team has made significant strides at the service line. Led by Fallan Lanham who is fifth in the SEC in aces per set, the Tiger's 133 total aces are the second-most in the conference.
SCOUTING TENNESSEE
Tennessee enters Friday's matchup in Neville Arena with a 4-4 conference mark and a 10-10 overall record. Across five seasons, head coach Eve Rackham Watt has compiled a 73-37 career record with a 47-26 conference record.
The Lady Volunteers' offensive power comes from senior right side Morgahn Fingall, who ranks first in the SEC for kills per set (4.11) and points per set (4.84). Fingall also ranks fifth for total kills with 267.
Carrying the defensive efforts are sophomore outside hitter, Erykah Lovett and redshirt freshman middle blocker Klaudia Pawlick. Lovett leads Tennessee in digs (183) and Pawlick is the leader in blocks (67) and blocks per set (1.16).
As a team, Tennessee ranks fifth in the SEC for digs per set (13.77), hitting percentage (.253) and kills per set (13.25).
AUBURN-TENNESSEE SERIES
The Tigers are 19-36-1 against Tennessee since the two programs first met in 1974. The record includes a 12-15 mark on the Plain. Auburn's last win over the Lady Vols came at home in 2017.
UP NEXT
Auburn remains home on the Plains for a primetime matchup with No. 11 Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Auburn Volleyball returns to Neville to host Tennessee for Dig Pink Match
