A year after Auburn's best volleyball season in a decade, the Tigers are predicted to have another successful year and have been picked to finish second in the SEC West. That is the same place that the 16-15 Tigers finished following the 2009 season.
"This is a good spot for this team at the start of the season," said coach Wade Benson.
This year's team, which won a gold medal in Italy over the summer, is led by six seniors, including libero Liz Crouch. Last year, Crouch led the team in digs, setting a single season record with 453. Crouch also led the team with 31 receptions.
"Liz enters her senior year with a lot of experience and leadership qualities that this team needs," Benson said.
Benson is looking forward to a highly productive season from some returning starters.
Sophomore Sarah Bullock also had a huge 2009 season. The Allen, Texas native led the team with 296 kills and 337.5 points. She also finished second on the team in digs, collecting 275.
Senior Morgan Johns is another big returner. Johns finished right behind Bullock in kills and points, with 266 and 304.5, respectively.
Alyssa Davis had the fifth most kills and points last year. The all-around player also had the second- most blocks, rejecting 65 of the opponents' spikes.
Auburn begins the season at home, hosting the War Eagle Invitational Aug. 27 and 28. Troy, Tennessee-Martin and Georgia Southern are making the trip to the Plains to take part in the annual event.
Auburn is also taking part in the Middle Tennessee Tournament, Sept. 3-5, and the College of Charleston Tournament, Sept. 10 and 11. The Tigers face five teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year in the War Eagle Invitational and Middle Tennessee Tournament.
Auburn plays each of the 10 SEC schools with volleyball teams once at home and once on the road. LSU was picked to win the SEC West, while Tennessee was picked to win the SEC East, as well as the overall SEC title. Auburn faces Tennessee Sept. 26, and takes on the Bayou Bengals Oct. 24. Auburn faces in-state rival Alabama on Oct. 3. Three matches, Georgia (Home), Florida (Home), and Kentucky (Away), will be televised.
Although the team has only practiced a few weeks, Auburn is already looking like a team with a goal.
"Our goal is to win the SEC West and go to the NCAA Tournament this year, and with the amount of depth we have on the team, we have our goals set in place for coming out on top," Crouch said. "Practices have been going really well, and it is apparent that everyone is excited to be here. The freshmen came in at a high level and that has helped the entire team begin the season at a high level right from the start."
This will be Benson's third year as Auburn's volleyball coach. After an amazing turnaround last year, Benson said he predicted Auburn will dominate in a few years.
"I see us competing for the SEC," Benson said.
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