The Auburn Tigers defeated the UT Martin Skyhawks and the Georgia Southern Eagles Saturday to win the Auburn War Eagle Invitational.
Auburn swept UT Martin in three quick sets, 25-22, 25-20 and 25-13, led by 16 combined kills from senior outside hitter Jonelle Wallace and junior outside hitter Kelly Fidero.
The Tigers then beat Georgia Southern in a tense four-set match for the tournament championship.
The Eagles presented a challenge because of Georgia Southern outside hitter, junior Bethany Sanford, who finished the match with 13 total kills, second-most in the tournament behind Auburn's sophomore Sarah Bullock with 18.
"First tournament is always a little bit shaky," Bullock said. "The first game against UT Martin, the younger players played really well. I feel really good about the 18 kills. I wish it was a nice even number like 20 because I am particular about those things, but I am really happy with 18 kills."
The Eagles won the first set after a line judge reversed a call that declared the Auburn ball was in.
The Tigers, led by senior Morgan Johns and Bullock, aggressively started piling up kills and took the next two sets 25-16, 25-13.
Auburn accumulated 12 total kills from Bullock and Johns in the fourth set. The Tigers forced an error on match point, causing a 25-19 fourth set victory.
The match had two lead changes, seven tied scores and lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
"I think it's a good start," said Auburn coach Wade Benson. "I thought Georgia Southern did a great job and put it to us. I thought we showed a little maturity and played steady and physical. It's early in the season, and it's a good win for us, which will prove to be better than people think later on. We have to get back in the office on Monday and prepare for Mercer, and then get ready for the next tournament we play in."
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