The Auburn Tigers volleyball squad broke ground on its season by winning the War Eagle Invitational.
The squad defeated Troy, UT Martin and Georgia Southern on the way to the tournament title.
This year's Tiger volleyball squad is looking to change memories of last season's tough 6-25 overall record and an 1-19 conference record.
"Coach Benson's famous saying is, 'If you want it, you will,'" said Invitational MVP and sophomore outside hitter Sarah Bullock. "He reiterates that almost every day during practices and games, which keeps us fired up. Of course it's always a goal for every team to win the SEC Championship. Let's just say we are going for the gold."
The Auburn squad swept the Troy Trojans in three quick sets 25-13, 25-13 and 25-21 Aug. 27.
Junior setter Christina Solverson had a career-high 28 assists, and junior middle blocker Alyssa Davis had a game-high six blocks.
The home crowd was a key factor as the players thrived off the 649-person crowd in the Auburn Student Activities Center.
The Lady Tigers scrambled the UT Martin Skyhawks' flight pattern with a score of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-13.
This game saw a lot of play for newcomers, like redshirt freshman middle blocker Chloe Rowand and freshman outside hitter Kathia Rudd.
The outside hitter trio of senior Jonelle Wallace, junior Kelly Fidero and senior Morgan Johns helped push the Tigers ahead for good in the match with some key kills late in the first set.
"I chose Auburn for a couple different reasons," Rowand said. "One, because it is a great school academically, and I knew I would be successful here. Two, because I loved the atmosphere and traditions. I was also excited to become a part of the Auburn family. I don't look up to one player, we have great leaders on the team and everyone brings something different to the table."
The Invitational championship game matched Auburn against Georgia Southern.
The Tigers forced an error on match point, and the championship was secured with a 25-19 fourth set victory.
"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."
The Tigers will play Mercer Sept. 1.
The squad will jump into the Blue Raider Bash Tournament from Sept. 3-5 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
In this tournament the Tigers will play Duke University, the University of Miami (FL), Middle Tennessee and Souther Mississippi.
SEC play will begin Sept. 24 against the defending conference champions, the Kentucky Wildcats, at the Student Activities Center at 7 p.m.
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