The Auburn volleyball team (17-11, 8-8 SEC) will finish the last of a three-game homestand Sunday against the Ole Miss Rebel Black Bears (17-8, 11-5 SEC).
The two teams last met Oct. 8 in Oxford, Miss., where the Rebels defeated Auburn in three sets despite a consistent effort from the Tigers.
Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Bullock led the Tigers that evening with 11 kills, and senior defensive specialist Liz Crouch broke the all-time dig record for Auburn, which now stands at 1,587 after last weekend's games against South Carolina and Florida.
The Rebel Black Bears are led by sophomore outside hitter Whitney Craven, who leads the team in kills on the season, and junior defensive specialist Morgan Springer, who leads the team in digs.
However, after a big win against South Carolina in three sets and a close loss to No. 1 Florida in five, the Tigers are motivated to conquer the rest of its schedule.
"Our confidence is up there," Bullock said. "I'm just going to say to the rest of the teams, they better watch out because we're coming for them."
Coach Wade Benson echoed his player's enthusiasm after the match against Florida and shares the same optimism about Ole Miss and the rest of the season.
"They are another really good team coming in here," Benson said after Sunday's game against Florida. "But we love playing at home, and the crowd has been great, and if we play at this level or close to it, we should have no problem being successful."
Playing with emotion is a key factor for this team, and it's something they are not short on these days.
After every point, Bullock likes to let out an elated scream and congratulate her teammates, which also ignites the home crowd to cheer on the Tigers.
"One of my roles on the team is the attitude leader, and I love it," Bullock said. "The other team hates it--you can ask any one of them--but the team and our fans love it."
While the home crowd is an advantage, senior outside hitter Morgan Johns, who had 14 kills against Florida, said there is something special about Auburn.
"It's family, and it's comfortable," Johns said. "You know they always have your back here."
This week, the team said they would practice all the important parts of the game they usually focus on, but that last weekend's games have given them the edge going into Ole Miss.
"I think we are going to play with the same attitude and finish going out with a bang," Johns said. "It's our last home game, and we're going to be ready"
As the last game at home for the Tigers this season, seniors Jonelle Wallace, Alyssa Davis, Lauren Mellor, Liz Crouch and Morgan Johns will be recognized for their contributions to the team.
Sunday's match against Ole Miss starts at 1:30 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.
