Alabama
14-5, 2-4
Auburn
8-8, 1-5
Alabama Sweeps Auburn Sunday on the Plains
10/7/2018 3:40:00 PM | Volleyball
AUBURN, Ala. - Alabama volleyball needed just three sets to defeat its in-state rival Sunday afternoon, defeating Auburn on the road for the first time since 2014 with set scores of 25-18, 25-20 and 25-19.
The win is Alabama's (14-5, 2-4 SEC) first road victory over Auburn (8-8, 1-5 SEC) since 2014 and its first sweep over the Tigers since 2015. The win was the second over Auburn this season, previously winning 3-1 in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 23.
Sophomore Doris Carter led the Crimson Tide offense with 15 kills, the only player for either team in double figures, and hit .379 from the outside. Senior Cidavia Hall and junior Hayley McSparin combined to stuff seven blocks up the middle while committing just two errors on 18 swings with 12 kills. Sophomore Meghan Neelon paced the offense with 21 assists, adding a team-leading three service aces. Senior Quincey Gary posted 15 digs, increasing her career total to 1,249 and putting her 15 away from fourth place on Alabama's career digs list.
Trailing 8-6 early in the first set, Alabama scored five unanswered including a pair of aces from Neelon to lead 11-8 before Auburn called a timeout. Another point after the break stretched the scoring streak to six-straight and the Tide continued to increase its lead to as much as five points. With the score 16-11, a 6-2 run from the Tigers made it a one-point game with Alabama taking a timeout up 18-17. Momentum quickly swung back the Tide's way with five-straight points, setting up Alabama for a 25-18 set victory.
Auburn maintained a slim lead through the opening portion of the second set before three-straight from Alabama put the Tide ahead 10-9. A successful challenge call from the Tide capped another 3-0 run later, giving Alabama a 13-10 lead at the halfway mark. A solo block from freshman Mylana Byrd made it 15-12 at the media timeout and a 4-2 run increased the lead to five points and Auburn called its first team timeout. The Tigers called their final timeout trailing 23-16 and Alabama reached set point soon after, 24-17. The Tide called a timeout after back-to-back points from Auburn but held on to win two points later, 25-20, and take a 2-0 match lead.
Alabama jumped ahead to an early 5-2 lead in the third set before Auburn fought back to tie it at 8-8. A 7-4 run gave the Tide a 15-12 lead at the media timeout and the Tide kept rolling, building a six-point lead at the 20-point mark as Auburn burned both its timeouts in the process. Three quick points from the Tigers forced the Tide to take a timeout leading 20-17 but it was all Alabama from that point on as the Tide won, 25-19, to complete the sweep.
Next up, Alabama takes a break from conference play with a midweek matchup against Alabama State Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. CT in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
