For the third straight game, Auburn dropped an SEC game in dramatic 5-set fashion. Auburn traveled to Missouri Sunday afternoon with hopes of ending its SEC losing skid and came very close, but the Tigers couldn't pull it out.
Auburn dominated the first set, winning 25-14, but the tide quickly changed. Auburn lost the second set by a score of 25-19, but bounced back to pull out a 25-21 win in the third.
Missouri then shifted into second gear, winning the fourth set 25-15 and the fifth set 15-11.
Despite the loss there are some positives to take away from this game, according to coach Rick Nold.
“I felt like we gave great effort, but it came down to us needing to make some plays," Nold said. "At that point you have to get back to basics a little bit. We had trouble doing that at some points. It’s definitely a learning thing that we have to go through, and we have to learn how to step up in these situations”.
Statistically, Courtney Crable and Stephanie Campbell continued their success, as each of them recorded 11 kills, tied for second on the team behind Emily Klitzke who tallied 12 kills herself.
Brenna McIlroy recorded her fourth-straight double double with 10 kills and 10 digs.
The Tigers service game also stepped up big with eight service aces. Alexa Filley performed well with 43 assists and 13 digs. This was a big night for Filley, because not only was this her 13th double double this season, but she also moved into sixth all time at Auburn in assists with 2,084. Defensively, Jesse Earl had another strong performance, with 23 digs while Breanna Barksdale and Klitzke each had four blocks.
This game marked the end of Auburn’s extended road trip. The Tigers return to Auburn Arena this Friday to take on South Carolina, then on Sunday the 12th-ranked Florida Gators travel from Gainesville for what should be an exciting showdown.
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