AUBURN, Ala. – No. 23 Auburn Volleyball (14-5, 4-4) returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. CT for a matchup with the South Carolina Gamecocks (8-9, 2-6). The match will also be streamed live on the SEC Network Plus.
Sunday's match also marks Disney Day inside Neville Arena. The first 250 kids through the door receive a Disney-themed key chain. Doors open at Noon and admission is free.
QUICK HITS
Senior setter Jackie Barrett is just five assists away from reaching fifth all-time in Auburn Volleyball program history.
Sophomore middle blocker Kendal Kemp loves playing against the Gamecocks. In her two matches versus South Carolina, Kemp is averaging 9.5 blocks and is swinging .394 on 33 attempts.
Kemp missed three matches due to injury. However, her .421 hitting percentage would be leading the SEC if she had played in those matchups. If the season ended today, the number would be a career-high for the Minnesota native and go down as an Auburn program record.
She hasn't forgotten how to block either. At 1.38 blocks per set, Kemp ranks second in the conference and No. 21 in the country.
Speaking of blocks, Illinois transfer Kyla Swanson has been starting to find some rhythm at the net. Over the last three matches, Swanson is averaging 6.33 total blocks and 1.58 per set.
As a team, Auburn's 2.49 blocks per set is the fourth-highest average in the conference and not too far behind the school record 2.56 the team averaged during the 2022 season.
The Orange and Blue wall on the front row is a major factor in the .191 opponent-hitting percentage Auburn is averaging this year, a mark that is No. 4 in the SEC.
With 22 aces on the season, Bel Zimmerman leads the Tigers and is on pace to jump into the top 10 for the most in a single season. Fallan Lanham tied for sixth a year ago with 35.
Akasha Anderson still ranks amongst the top offensive players in the SEC. The Virginia native sits seventh in both kills per set (3.73) and points per set (4.30).
LAST TIME OUT VS SOUTH CAROLINA
For the second time in as many seasons, Auburn and South Carolina went the full five sets in Columbia. Madison Scheer Scheer's 19 kills solidified her National Player of the Week campaign. Kendal Kemp rejected nine Gamecock attacks and Jackie Barrett's 46 assists and 12 digs gave the senior her eighth double-double of the season. All totaled, it added up to a thrilling Auburn victory that closed out a difficult road trip that included the Tiger's first top-10 victory over then No. 9 Florida in Gainesville.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
Tom Mendoza's Gamecocks are starting to find some wins after a difficult opening schedule to their SEC campaign. Since dropping the five-setter to Auburn, South Carolina has posted wins over Georgia and Alabama.
As a team, the Gamecocks remain one of the best blocking teams in the conference. USC enters the weekend at 2.60 blocks per set, the No. 2 mark in the SEC and No. 25 in the country.
Oby Anadi and Ellie Ruprich are the dynamic blocking duo for South Carolina. Onadi's 1.34 blocks per set is the third-highest average in the conference while Ruprich's 1.08 ranks 10th.
In the back row, libero Morgan Carter is busy keeping balls from hitting the floor. At 4.18 digs per set, Carter sits fourth in the SEC.
AUBURN-SOUTH SERIES
Auburn's win over South Carolina earlier in October marked the Tigers' first triumph against the Gamecocks since 2017. All-time, South Carolina owns a 30-20 record, including a 13-8 mark on the Plains. Auburn's last win at home came in sweeping fashion in 2016.
UP NEXT
Another road trip is on the docket for the Tigers as Auburn heads to Athens on Friday, Oct. 27 for a matchup with Georgia. The team will follow up with a second rivalry bout with Alabama on Sunday, Oct. 29. Auburn returns home on Nov. 8 for a date with Kentucky.
Eyeing bounce-back victory, No. 23 Auburn welcomes South Carolina
