AUBURN, AL. (EETV)- On Friday evening, No. 24 Auburn volleyball defeated Georgia at home in Neville Arena in a match that embodied the energy of “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.”
The Auburn Tigers came out roaring, as Lauren Dreves scored the first point of the match with an ace. The set remained close until Auburn went on a 3-0 running streak that put them in the lead 12-9, forcing Georgia to call a timeout. The Tigers had momentum that could not be stopped resulting in Georgia calling yet another timeout after Auburn took a four-point lead, 18-14. After this second timeout was called, Peyton Dunn assisted four kills that secured the first set for Auburn 25-19.
Roles were reversed the second set; this time, Auburn was the one calling two timeouts in an attempt to stop the Bulldogs from roaring back. Beginning the second set Auburn led 2-1, but that was the only lead the Tigers would carry for the rest of the set. The bulldogs played with an intensity that the Tigers just couldn’t seem to meet, resulting in the second set going to Georgia with a score of 25-19.
Entering the third set it was anyone’s game and both teams showed a fierce desire to win. Auburn got off to an early lead, but the Bulldogs came fighting back resulting in numerous lead changes. However, after a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, Lakin Laurendine was able to lead the Tigers to win the third set 26-24.
Going into the fourth set, the Friday night crowd in Neville Arena was roaring. Georgia carried the lead for most of the set, but the Tigers didn’t back down. Auburn had four aces in pivotal moments that contributed to their win; two of these four aces were back-to-back by Lauren Dreves which tied the set 17-17. Georgia quickly took the lead back, but it didn’t last long, as Bel Zimmerman scored a crucial kill, tying the set 23 apiece and allowing the Tigers to 'Swag Surf' their way onto victory. Georgia called for a review of the final point, but it was denied, and Auburn won the set 25-23 and the match 3-1.
This victory secures Auburn a 3-0 record in SEC play. The Tigers will look to continue their seven game winning streak on Oct. 6 where they will face the Texas A&M Aggies in Neville Arena at 2 p.m.
