With three games remaining, it's do or die for the Auburn volleyball team (17-12), as it prepares to finish out the season on the road, starting Friday with Alabama.
Auburn looks to make its first NCAA tournament appearance, but has dropped five of its last six matches.
Although winning the next three games will most likely earn the Tigers a bid, nothing is guaranteed.
"I've been around this NCAA thing too long to guess," said coach Wade Benson. "You just go and play, and that's what we're going to do."
The Tigers face the Tide for the second time this season after defeating Alabama 3-0 at home in early October.
After starting the season 8-2, Alabama has struggled tremendously, winning only two of its next 17 games.
The Tide will start a three-game homestand to close out the season, and Benson said he believes although Alabama has struggled, they will be motivated and ready to try and take down its rival.
"Everybody knows it's going to be a slugfest," Benson said. "It's going to be a big match for both teams."
The Tigers hope to get back to their winning ways following Sunday's Senior Day heartbreaker against Ole Miss.
"You rebound from a tough loss, you practice, try to learn a few things and go to the road for three in a row and see if you can pull off something that is going to be very difficult," Benson said.
Auburn fought its way back from two sets down to force a fifth set, but a season-best 27 digs from senior libero Liz Crouch were not enough to save the Tigers from a 3-2 loss.
"We fought hard, and we left it all out there," said sophomore outside hitter Sarah Bullock. "Everyone who wasn't a senior was playing for the seniors, so we really wanted this win. It didn't happen, but we're still going to make it to the NCAAs."
The Tigers face Alabama at 7 p.m. before traveling to Starkville, Miss., to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs, at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Auburn will close its regular season next Wednesday, facing the Georgia Bulldogs at 6 p.m.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
