The Auburn volleyball team defeated Florida A&M 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-20) at Auburn Arena Friday night to tip off the 2014 War Eagle Invitational.
The Tigers' last three matches lasted until the fifth set, so a three-set victory was a huge relief and a morale booster for the Tigers, sophomore Stephanie Campbell said.
"I think we can play a little harder the whole time and be consistent, but I think it is a good one to step up from the last two games," Campbell said.
The Tigers outperformed the Rattlers in nearly every category: kills (45-30), digs (59-52), assists (40-25), service aces (8-2) and out-hit the Rattlers (.248-.147).
Freshman middle blocker Macy Reece, who led the Tigers last weekend with 48 kills at the Active Ankle Challenge, has been a threat at the net to opponents, but did not see much playing time against the Rattlers.
"I thought she was being a little bit tentative," head coach Rick Nold said. "She is a very good player, and playing a new position. Sometimes that is going to make somebody overthink things."
Sophomore Emily Klitzke led the team with 12 kills, while Campbell had 11. Both players tied for a team-high with three blocks in the victory.
Freshman Courtney Crable and sophomore Breanna Barksdale also contributed with nine and six kills for Auburn. Barksdale also recorded a pair of blocks.
Freshman Alexa Filley recorded her fifth double-double after 31 assists, 15 digs and a pair of aces in Friday's victory.
Junior Alyssa Ivey led the team with a match-high 17 digs.
Fifteen of the Tigers kills came in the first set, along with only two errors.
Strong play at the net from Klitzke and four team blocks set the Tigers up 2-0 heading into the locker room.
The Tigers made some adjustments defensively in the third set by taking care of shots that Florida A&M hurt them with in the first set, and kept the Rattlers off balance with the serve, Nold said.
After 10 ties and five lead changes, Auburn won it late in the third set with five kills in a row.
Tied at 17-17 late in the frame, Klitzke delivered four kills to put Auburn up 22-20.
Shortly after, Crable posted back-to-back kills before Campbell finished the match with her 12th kill of the night.
The Tigers needed the victory to set the standard for the rest of the weekend, according to Klitzke.
"When you start out with a win it keeps our energy up for the next two games on Saturday," Klitzke said.
Auburn will face off against Jacksonville State, Nold's former team, Saturday before concluding the tournament against Northwestern State later that night.
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