AUBURN, Ala. – Head coach Brent Crouch and Tigers host Texas A&M for two pivotal matches over the weekend. Saturday, Nov. 5 marks Auburn's annual Alumni match while Sunday is Hometown Heroes Day.
QUICK HITS
Zoe Slaughter earned her first collegiate start as libero while in Lexington. Her 11 digs on Sunday mark the seventh game this season that Slaughter has compiled at least 10.
Freshman middle blocker Kendal Kemp solidified her second-place spot in program history for blocks in a single season. With six last weekend against the Wildcats, the Eagan, Minnesota product has collected 123 blocks this season and ranks second in the conference for blocks per set (1.38) and total blocks.
Steady improvement at the service line, paired with the serving power of defensive specialist Fallan Lanham, put the Tigers third in the conference for service aces per set (1.66) and team service aces (148). Lanham also ranks second in the SEC with 31 total service aces. The number also ranks in the top-10 in single-season history for Auburn.
Jackie Barrett continues to create consistent opportunities for the offense. The junior setter put up 55 total assists across two three-set matches in Lexington and currently ranks third in the conference for assists per set with 10.19.
As a team, the Tigers rank fourth in the SEC for blocks per set (2.52), hitting percentage (.259) and opponent hitting percentage (.194) going into this weekend's matchup against Texas A&M.
SCOUTING TEXAS A&M
With the season inching closer towards its end, Texas A&M stands with an overall 12-11 record and a 4-8 record in conference play. On the road they are 4-3. Amid her fifth season with the Aggies, head coach Bird Kuhn has an overall record of 75-55.
Outside hitter Caroline Meuth ranks top five in the SEC conference in four categories, including third in points (380), and fourth in points per set (4.52), kills per set (3.89), and total kills (327).
Sophomore setter Elena Karakasi also proves to be a weapon for the Aggies. The Athens, Greece native leads her team and is third in conference in total assists (829) and fourth in conference in assists per set (10.11).
As a team Texas A&M, rank in the top-5 in the SEC in two categories. The Aggies are fifth in both team assists (1,013) and team total blocks (201).
AUBURN-TEXAS A&M SERIES
Last year, Auburn picked up just its second win over the Aggies in program history and the first ever victory in College State. Entering the weekend, the Tigers are 2-14 against Texas A&M, with a 1-4 record on the Plains.
UP NEXT
Auburn heads out on the road for two consecutive matches against Ole Miss (Nov. 11) and South Carolina (Nov. 23). The Tigers will return home to the Plains to round out the regular season with two matches against Arkansas on Nov. 25 & 26.
Auburn Volleyball hosts Aggies in pivotal SEC showdown
