OMAHA, Neb. – After just its second postseason win in school history, Auburn Volleyball stares down Houston for a second-round matchup on Saturday, Dec. 3. First serve at D.J. Sokol Arena is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
For the Orange and Blue fans unable to make the trip, the match will be broadcast on ESPN+. Jake Eisenberg will have the call alongside Shannon Smolinski and Ana Bellinghausen.
QUICK HITS
Auburn's win over Creighton in the First Round was the Tiger's second postseason victory, the first since 2010 and the first over a seed opponent in school history. The victory was also the first time the Orange and Blue have beaten a nationally ranked opponent since defeating then-No. 16 North Carolina, 3-1, in 2017.
Madison Scheer was no less than brilliant for Auburn in the opening-round win. The Eureka, Missouri native swung for .302 and piled up a team-high 17 kills to lead the way. Her kill total is also a new single-match high for Auburn in the NCAA Tournament.
Jackie Barrett and Akasha Anderson have each been a double-double machine for the Tigers and both notched another in Auburn's win over No. 14 Creighton. Barrett sets the pace with a team-high 11 double-doubles while Anderson has racked up eight in 2022.
Freshman libero Sarah Morton has been at her best in the First Round. The Munster, Indiana product wrangled in 19 digs, marking the 26th time Morton has had at least 10 digs in a match.
Auburn's blocking presence has propelled them to new heights in 2022. The Tigers had 14 blocks versus the Bluejays in Round One, marking the 15th time the Orange and Blue have racked up double digits and the fifth time in the last six matches.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
In his fourth season at the helm of the Cougar Volleyball program, David Rehr has given Houston an NCAA berth for the first time in 20 years. On Friday, the Cougars won a five-set thriller over South Dakota for its first win in the Tournament since 1994.
Kennedy Warren went for a career-high 21 kills and 11 digs against the Coyotes, her first double-double. Kate Georgiades wound up with 29 digs to get the Cougars into Round Two.
The Houston offense is usually lead by senior outside hitter Abby Jackson. Jackson is fourth in the American in kills per set (3.87) and fifth in total kills (441). Meanwhile, Georgiades ranks eighth in digs per set (5.46) and ninth in total digs (622).
Setters Morgan Janda and Annie Cooke have pulled the strings on an offense that is 23rd in assists per set (12.93) and 26th in kills per set (13.92).
AUBURN-HOUSTON SERIES
Auburn and Houston have only met twice in the history of the two programs, neither time in the rally-scoring era. The last time the Tigers went toe-to-toe with the Cougars, Houston came out on top, 3-2.
WITH A WIN
A victory would give Auburn its third postseason win in school history and would lock in a spot in the Regionals for the Tigers for the first time ever. Beating No. 23 would also give Auburn it's second win over a ranked opponent this season.
UP NEXT
Should the Tigers advance to Regionals, Auburn will await the winner of LSU and Stanford.
Auburn Volleyball eyes No. 23 Houston in Round Two of NCAA Tournament
