Auburn Volleyball team (14-10, 6-7 SEC) was unable to defeat No. 20 LSU (18-5, 12-2 SEC) Sunday.
Auburn lost 3-0, dropping all three matches, 25-15, 25-12, 25-20.
"We came out uninspired right away and that stuck with us throughout the entire match," said head coach Wade Benson in a statement after the game. "We're looking towards our match with South Carolina on Friday and we need to pick up and prepare hard if we want to get back to winning."
Despite the poor game time attitude Benson mentioned, he said the team showed some pride and fight in the third set, where they rallied to a 25-20 finish.
Auburn previously lost to LSU Sept. 25, also with a final score of 3-0.
Leading Auburn with eight kills Sunday was sophomore Kelly Fidero.
"We learned that we can't play scared," Fidero said. "We need to play every team with the same mentality and with confidence."
With six kills each were outside hitters, freshman Katherine Culwell and junior Morgan Johns.
Recording a match-high 21 digs, Culwell was followed by junior defensive specialist Liz Crouch's 14 digs.
In the first set, Auburn came within one point at 9-8, but LSU rallied and went up 15-10, ultimately winning the set 25-15.
Auburn was close again to LSU in the second set, only behind 7-4, but LSU pulled ahead of the Tigers to win the set 25-12.
"Our will to leave the game knowing that we fought back (kept me going)," Fidero said. "Because win or lose you never want to lose respect."
After a back and forth start of the third set, LSU took a 7-4 lead over Auburn.
Soon LSU advanced to a 13-8 lead over Auburn.
Auburn continued to fight and slowed down LSU with a kill from Fidero, bringing the score to 18-13.
Auburn came within three of LSU at 22-19 after kills from freshman outside hitter Sarah Bullock and junior middle blocker Lauren Mellor.
After rallying on a 3-1 run, LSU won the set 25-20.
The Tigers continue their road play facing South Carolina (12-11, 4-10 SEC) Friday and No. 10/12 Florida (18-3, 12-2 SEC) Sunday, before returning to The Plains to take on Tennessee (16-6, 9-3 SEC) Nov. 13 and No. 12 Kentucky (22-1, 12-1 SEC) Nov. 15.
"We just need to have a few solid practices and focus on being technical to clean up our game a little and get back on track," Fidero said about preparing for the upcoming SEC play.
Benson said the team will be ready for its next road trip.
"Our goal is (to place) second in the West and we can accomplish this," Benson said.
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