AUBURN, Ala. – Head coach Brent Crouch and the Auburn Tigers prepare for another top-20 showdown on the road at Kentucky this weekend.
QUICK HITS
Freshmen Akasha Anderson and Madison Scheer continue to be a potent 1-2 punch for Auburn. Anderson ranks eighth in the SEC for kills per set at 3.79, with Scheer close behind at 3.16 kills per set.
Libero Sarah Morton picked up 11 more digs, putting her at 19 games this season with at least 10 digs per match. Morton ranks second in the conference for total digs with 334 and third in digs per set with 4.02.
At the net, freshman Kendal Kemp maintains her climb for record blocks. With four against the Gators, Kemp has racked up 117 blocks this season, ranking third in program history for blocks in a single season and only two short from tying for second place. The Eagan, Minnesota native also ranks eighth in the nation for total blocks.
As a whole, the Tigers are keeping opponents to a .179 hitting percentage this season, ranking second in the conference and collecting 215 team blocks this season.
Crouch has turned the service line into a significant strength strength. Defensive specialist Fallan Lanham leads the team in service aces with 30 total aces, putting the Tigers at third in the conference for service aces per set. Her total is also the 10th-most in single season history at Auburn with at least eight matches still to play this year.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY
Kentucky enters this weekend's series in Lexington with a 7-2 conference mark and a 12-6 overall record. Head coach Craig Skinner holds a 414-137 career record across 18 seasons with the Wildcats.
The Wildcats' offensive strength comes from opposite Reagan Rutherford, who currently ranks second in the conference in kills per set (4.02) and points per set (4.82). Aiding Kentucky's attack is middle blocker Elise Goetzinger, who is first in the SEC for hitting percentage (.384).
Orchestrating the offense is sophomore setter Emma Grome, who ranks first in the conference and third in the nation for assists per set (11.62). Grome also ranks first in the SEC for total assists with 790.
Senior middle blocker Azhani Tealer leads the Wildcats' defensive front, averaging 1.12 blocks per set.
AUBURN-KENTUCKY SERIES
Auburn is 10-46 versus Kentucky, including a 3-20 markin in Lexington. The Tiger's last victory over the Wildcats came via a dramatic five-setter on the Plains.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return to the Plains next weekend for two matches versus Texas A&M.
Auburn Volleyball preps for battle in the Blue Grass State
