After dropping a five-set match for the first time this year against Mississippi State University Sunday, the Tigers (9-9, 3-5 SEC) are looking to improve their 0-4 conference record for road games.
"I think we haven't had the same energy on the road as we've had when we're at home," said coach Rick Nold. "I think it shows up a lot of times defensively. I think the teams on the road, they've just out-defended us.
"We've got to make some changes to how we approach those games. It's got to be a different mindset going into them and understand that it's not going to be one little push and you win the match. It's going to be a long match--you've got to push through it, you've got to fight and earn points and that's how you do it."
The Tigers are in for another challenging weekend as they continue their season away at the University of Arkansas Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a match against Louisiana State University Sunday at 1 p.m.
"I think coming off the last week, we've got to step things up a little bit," Nold said. "We know that both Arkansas and LSU are very good teams, and for us it's a matter of preparing ourselves and coming out and giving the best effort. I think that's going to be most important."
Auburn opened the season with multiple wins, but as weeks passed they accumulated more losses than expected. The Tigers know something's missing from their game strategy.
"We want to be able to serve aggresively," said assistant coach Eysha Ambler. "That's something we've been working on all season, and defensively, just behind the block\0xAD--working on getting a lot of balls."
Team practices have focused on areas that cost Auburn their match against the Bulldogs.
"We expect a good fight and we'll be up and ready to go for it," said senior setter Christina Solverson. "Just working together as a unit will be the key to our success this weekend."
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.
