The Auburn volleyball team is preparing to challenge Alabama this weekend and get their season back on track.
Coached by Rick Nold, who had a 172-98 record and three NCAA postseason appearances at Jacksonville State before joining the Tigers in April, Auburn is currently 6-6 and 0-2 in conference play.
"We need to keep working hard and playing better than we are playing," Nold said. "We are better than how we are playing, and we need to answer to that."
So far the Tigers have been led by outside hitter Kelly Fidero, senior in health promotion, who has 108 total kills and 28 blocks, and setter Chelsea Wintzinger, undeclared sophomore, with 228 assists.
Auburn was victorious in both games against Alabama last season, sweeping the Crimson Tide during the first contest at home.
The second matchup was a close contest in Tuscaloosa with Auburn dropping the first two sets, but winning the next three to secure the victory.
"The last time we played them it was a very emotional game. We came back and beat them 3-2 there," said middle blocker Camila Jersonsky, sophomore in pre-polymer and fiber engineering. "We need to have home-court advantage and we need all of our fans out there."
The Tide, coached by Ed Allen, holds an identical record at 6-6 and 0-2.
Both squads are coming off of losses to SEC opponents.
The Tennessee Volunteers swept the Tigers on the road Sunday in Knoxville, and the Crimson Tide lost 3-1 to LSU.
"I don't think you need to prep any differently for a game like Alabama. The drive comes naturally for a rivalry," Fidero said. "We just need to clean up some things from this weekend, and I think our performance will be better no matter what."
Coaches and players agreed they need to focus and play in a manner that helped them reach the NCAA Tournament last year.
The match will take place Friday at 7 p.m. in the Student Activities Center.
Nold encourages Auburn fans to come to the match and be loud.
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