ATHENS, Ga. — Lauren Dreves finished in double figures for the eighth-straight match and Kale Eidson notched her fourth double-double of the season but Auburn (16-7, 7-5) couldn’t find the right buttons to press to get past Georgia (15-7 7-5) in four sets, 3-1 (19-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-21).
Potent serving proved to be beneficial for the Tigers in set one. Two aces from Kate Mansfield and another from Liz Markovska allowed Auburn to set up its defense.
The Orange and Blue held Georgia to just .038 hitting as Auburn utilized blocks and ran down 12 digs.
Dreves led the way with five kills, while Mansfield, Bel Zimmerman and Markovska each put down a pair. Dreves’ first kill of the night represented the 500th of her career.
Two timely rejections at the end of the frame gave the Tigers the space they needed to take the early lead, 1-0.
Georgia flipped the script in set two. Even though Shanelle Puetz delivered back-to-back aces to get within one, 11-10, eight aces were too much for the Tigers to overcome to mount any sort of comeback.
It was the offense for Georgia that created the gap in set three. The Bulldogs were hitting well over .500 as they jumped out to an early 8-4 lead.
Auburn nearly drew even in the blocks department, finishing with nine total at the end of the frame. The Tigers also cut down on the aces, giving up just one. However, UGA was able to pull away once more to take the lead, 2-1.
The Orange and Blue offense gained a little momentum in set four.
Four kills from Dreves, Zimmerman and Markovska had Auburn within reach for most of the set. Setters Kalei Edson and Shanelle Puetz guided an offense that hit a match-best .250.
Edson (16 assists, 10 digs) would notch her fourth double-double of the season
Georgia was up to the task, though. The Bulldogs hit. 333 in the final frame to find the last few points UGA needed to secure the win, 3-1.
WHAT CROUCH HAD TO SAY
Head Coach, Brent Crouch
“Difficult match today. Georgia is a very good, very physical team. Obviously, their serving created a bunch of problems for us in set two, and it took us a while to get back into the rhythm of the match. Tough way to end a difficult road trip, but we’re really looking forward to getting back home, spending some time in the gym and playing in front of the Auburn family next Friday.”
MATCH NOTES
- Auburn recorded seven aces, marking the ninth time this season the Tigers have managed at least five aces in a match
- Lauren Dreves (10 kills) reached double digits for the eighth-straight match and the 21st time this season
- Dreves eclipsed 500 career kills
- Kalei Edson (16 assists, 10 digs) recorded her fourth double-double of the season
- Kate Mansfield (4 blocks) has managed at least four blocks in four straight matches and 20 different times this season
- Grace Havlicek (4 blocks) has recorded four blocks in seven straight matches and 17 different times this season