AUBURN, Ala. – Following one of the most monumental wins in program history, Auburn (11-1, 1-0) turns around quickly to welcome in-state rival Alabama (8-4, 0-1) to the Plains on Sunday afternoon.
First serve is set for 4 p.m. CT. Doors open one hour prior and admission is free. For those unable to make it to Neville Arena, the match will be broadcast live on the SEC Network. Kevin Fitzgerald and Madison Fitzpatrick will have the call.
QUICK HITS
Auburn's reverse sweep of Kentucky was its first win over the Wildcats since 2010, also a five-set thriller on the Plains.
The top-15 victory over Kentucky was the Tigers' second ranked win of 2024. Auburn now has nine top-25 wins in program history, four have come during the Brent Crouch era (2020-pres.).
Crouch's crew stacked up 15 blocks during its win over No. 12 Kentucky. It was the second-most blocks in a single match for the Tigers this season.
Averaging 2.99 blocks per set, Auburn paces the SEC and ranks No. 8 in the country.
Coupled with 18.02 digs per set, which ranks No. 2 in all of Division I volleyball, the Orange and Blue defense is holding opponents to a .150 hitting percentage. The mark leads the Southeastern Conference and is good enough for No. 16 in the country.
Filling in for one of the best blockers in the SEC, Grace Havlicek has stepped in and stepped up for Crouch and the Tigers. In three matches, the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida product is averaging 1.8 blocks per set, including 10 rejections in Auburn's five-set win over No. 12 Kentucky.
Speaking of middle blockers, between Havlicek and Chelsey McCurdy, the duo exploded for 17 kills on an incredible .555 hitting between the pair on Friday evening. Havlicek was near perfect, swinging for a career-best six kills on nine swings with zero errors.
Kentucky transfer Bella Bell was downright prolific against her former squad. The converted right side put down 12 kills on a season-high .435 hitting percentage to go along with four blocks.
Auburn's passing stats have taken quite the jump in 2024. Between Lauren Dreves and Alexis Dacosta, Auburn is allowing just 0.90 aces per set, fourth in the SEC.
LAST TIME OUT
Behind stellar offense and strong defense, Auburn pulled off a historic reverse sweep over Kentucky for its first win over the Wildcats since 2010. Madison Scheer compiled a team-high 17 kills while both Bella Bell (12 kills) and Chelsey McCurdy (11 kills) reached double digits. Defensively, freshman Grace Havlicek led the way with a match-high 10 blocks, followed closely behind by Scheer (6), McCurdy (5), Bel Zimmerman (4) and Bella Bell (4).
SCOUTING ALABAMA
Third-year head coach Rashinda Reed brings an Alabama team into Neville Arena with an 8-4 record. The Crimson Tide went 8-3 in non-conference play and began their SEC slate with a close five-set loss on the road at No. 20 Tennessee.
Reed's team has been an improved serving unit to begin the season. At 1.74 aces per set, Alabama ranks sixth in the SEC. Callie Keiffer leads the way with 14 total aces on 0.33 aces per set. The Tide boasts three other players with double-digit aces this season.
Offensively, Alabama leans on junior outside hitter Sophie Agee. The Houston, Texas native averages north of 4.00 points per set. Fellow outside hitter Paris Thompson has also been an effective attacking option. The Notre Dame transfer has grabbed 3.27 points per set in the early parts of 2024.
AUBURN-ALABAMA SERIES
Alabama owns a 49-39 record in a series that dates back to 1974. The Tigers are 18-19 against the Tide in matches played on the Plains. However, Auburn has won each of the last seven matches against its rivals.