Auburn and Kentucky squared off in Auburn Arena on Friday night in what proved to be an entertaining match.
The Tigers fell in five sets after jumping out to a 2-0 lead before intermission. Auburn won the first set 25-23 after a quick start and set two 25-22.
In set three it was a very back and forth game eventually ending with a Kentucky win by a score of 26-24.
The fourth featured five lead changes and 17 ties eventually ending by a score of 30-28 in Kentucky’s favor. The fifth and final set was a bit less competitive as Kentucky won 15-12 and sealed the game.
“In the fourth set we knew we were here to win this game and we fought like it," junior Macy Reece said. "We played as a team and we had confidence in each other but they made some good plays. They are a really good team and we knew it was going to be a back and forth match. It stings that we couldn't pull that one out but as a team we worked harder in that match than we have in a while.”
Auburn was lead by Brenna McIlroy with 18 kills and Reece with 11. Breanna Barksdale wasn't far behind with 10 kills. Defensively, Jesse Earl tallied 25 digs followed by Brenna McIlroy with 17.
“I thought we played hard all the way through, one of the things we said was that we had to be the aggressor and I thought at the end of game 4 and game 5 we gave them some easy opportunities,” Auburn head coach Rick Nold said. "I think we came into the match with the mentality that we had to be attacking them the whole time and that would give us the best chance.”
The Tigers fall to 13-12 on the season with their next action against Ole Miss on Sunday Nov. 6 in Auburn Arena.
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