COLUMBIA, S.C. – Three different Tigers secured double-doubles but it wasn't quite enough as Auburn fell to South Carolina, 3-2 (24-26, 25-18, 20-25, 25-16, 15-10).
It took a minute for the Tigers to get settled into the Carolina Volleyball Center but once they did, Auburn started to fire on cylinders in the latter half of the first set.
Early blocks and a few errors from the Orange and Blue led to a quick lead for the hosts. South Carolina was hitting well north of .300 by the media timeout. In the timeout, however, head coach Brent Crouch flipped the script.
A hustling defense, combined with touches at the net allowed the Tigers to reclaim the lead. Madison Scheer's four kills paced Auburn's effort and three timely blocks from Jackie Barrett helped seal the deal in the opening frame.
South Carolina wasn't about to run away just yet in the second set. Another early lead from the Gamecocks behind some potent offense forced the Tigers to play from behind.
The patented Auburn hustle bought a point on the longest rally of the match midway through the second, sparking a 3-0 run from the Tigers.
However, a few too many errors meant the match was all even at one set apiece heading into the third.
Back and forth the two traded punches throughout the third set. And as is often the case, an uptick in serving sparked a huge run for the Tigers late.
With Jackie Barrett at the service line, Auburn ran off four straight points to build a commanding lead they wouldn't relinquish.
It wasn't just the serving prowess of Barrett that gave the Tigers the lead, though. The junior setter from Highland, California was also dynamite at the net in blocking. Both Barrett and Kemp combined for seven blocks apiece in just three frames.
Kemp would go on to complete her first double-double of her career, stacking up a career-best 12 kills to go along with 10 blocks.
Auburn found themselves in a bit of a hole to begin the fourth set. While the Tigers battled back to get within reach, .400 hitting from the Gamecocks proved too much to overcome as the match drifted into the fifth set.
Another hot start from USC meant the Orange and Blue had to battle back once more. And once more it was Barrett's serving that gave the Tiger faithful on hand hope.
A 3-0 run, including Barrett's second ace of the match brought Auburn within two. Another stout hitting effort from South Carolina put the home side over the edge, handing the win to South Carolina.
MATCH NOTES
- Kendal Kemp secured her first career double-double with 12 kills and 10 blocks
- Kemp's 12 kills were also a career-high
- Jackie Barrett (47 assists, 10 digs) grabbed her ninth double-double of the year
- Akasha Anderson (12 kills, 10 digs) grabbed her seventh double-double
UP NEXT
Auburn will return to the Plains for the final matches of the regular season against Arkansas on Nov. 25 and 26. First serve on Friday is set for 2 p.m. CT while Saturday is slated for 7 p.m. CT.