AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn volleyball team returns to the road, traveling to South Carolina for a Sunday afternoon contest. The Tigers and the Gamecocks are slated to go head-to-head at 12:30 p.m. CT, Nov. 4, at the Carolina Volleyball Center.
"South Carolina is a young, well-balanced team that is coming off a big win at home Friday," head coach Rick Nold said. "It'll be another test for our young team and we're looking forward to the battle Sunday."
QUICK HITS
- Auburn is 10-12 overall with a 3-9 mark in the Southeastern Conference.
- Freshmen Tatum Shipes and Mica Allison were honored by the SEC Monday as the pair each picked up a weekly honor. Shipes was named the Co-Freshman of the Week, while Allison earned Setter of the Week.
- Shipes averaged 4.12 kills/set over eight played last weekend and reached a career-best 21 vs. Ole Miss.
- Allison also had a career high reached against the Rebels, having 61 assists. That marked the first time since 2015 an Auburn setter has eclipsed 60 or more helpers in a match.
- Sophomore Anna Stevenson is among the conference's best, ranking third in overall block average (1.28), while her 1.39 mark vs. SEC-only opponents is second.
- Senior Brenna McIlroy continues to lead the Tigers offensively, averaging 2.93 kills/set. The Garland, Texas, product returned to the outside position this past weekend and totaled 18 kills vs. the Rebels with 14 against the Razorbacks.
- McIlroy also continues to excel from the service line, averaging .43 aces/set to rank fourth in the SEC.
- Allison as earned the starting nod in all matches at setter for the Tigers the year. The White Heath, Ill., native is fourth in the Southeastern Conference with a 9.96 assists/set average.
- Auburn's 2018 schedule boasts 10 2017 NCAA Tournament participants.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return home to Auburn Arena for a pair of big matches against nationally-ranked opponents. Auburn kicks off the week with a Wednesday-night contest vs. No. 20 Missouri, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. CT. The squad follows with a 12 p.m. CT match against No. 11 Florida, Sunday, Nov. 11. Both contests will be broadcast live on SEC Network.
SCOUTING SOUTH CAROLINA
- The South Carolina Gamecocks stand at 16-6 on the year and are 7-5 in the Southeastern Conference. The squad is coming off a big win over No. 20 Missouri, topping the Tigers in five sets at home Friday night.
- The Gamecocks are under first-year head coach Tom Mendoza.
- Junior outside hitter Mikayla Shields leads the team with a 3.19 kills/set mark, while Brittany McLean is at 2.74.
- Junior setter Courtney Koehler is among the Top 10 in the SEC with a 9.73 assists/set mark.
- Senior libero Aubrey Ezell is averaging 3.49 digs/set, but her .70 aces/set leads the SEC.
- Sophomore middle blocker Mikayla Robinson has a .93 blocks/set mark to guide the Gamecock defense.
A WIN OVER SC WOULD...
- Give Auburn its 12th win over South Carolina in the last 16 meetings.
- Be Auburn's 12th win in Columbia.
AUBURN-SC SERIES
- South Carolina leads the all-time series, 23-19.
- Auburn holds the edge in matches played in Columbia, 11-10.
- The Tigers have been successful vs. the Gamecocks as of late. Since 2009, Auburn is 12-4 overall vs. SC.