AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) – Auburn volleyball matched up against the Missouri Tigers for a conference battle, looking to bounce back from a loss to Tennessee last week in Knoxville. Unfortunately, the Tigers of the plains couldn’t seem to get it going as Auburn lost the match in straight sets, 3-0.
The first set was very back-and-forth, with the two teams of Tigers trading runs and then individual points as the set grew longer. Eventually, Missouri was able to build a gap late and jump out to a 24-20 lead. Auburn tried to claw back, making it 24-23 before a Kill by Missouri’s Jordan Iliff won them the set.
The second set began very similarly to the first, with each team trading large runs until the score reached a seven-seven tie. From then, Auburn began to take control, extending their lead to a seemingly comfortable 18-13 cushion. However, Missouri went on a tear from then on, storming back and winning the set 25-21.
As for the third set, it was a familiar story to the others of the night. Auburn was able to keep it close until the set was tied at eight points apiece but then fell away from Missouri. Auburn would eventually lose what would be the final set 25-18 on what was a disappointing night for the Tigers of the plains.
The story of the match for Auburn was unforced errors. Auburn amassed only a .168 hit% on the match and conceded 18 points to Missouri due to attack and service errors. Such errors consistently held the Auburn attack back, preventing them from gaining an advantage over Missouri for any significant period of time.
There were bright spots for Auburn, however. Madison Scheer and Akasha Anderson each amassed 10 kills, enough for the team co-lead on the night. Anderson added six digs to her line, and Scheer added two blocks in her own right.
Additionally, a real positive surprise for Auburn was the play of Kyla Swanson. The graduate middle blocker recorded four kills and seven blocks. Her block total was only one shy of her joint season high of eight, set vs both South Carolina and UAB.
Auburn will look to bounce back as they welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks to Neville Arena on October 22nd, a team that Auburn beat in Columbia just two short weeks ago. The Tigers will look to use the rematch as a bounce-back opportunity to regain some momentum in what is a hotly contested SEC.
