By Henry Zimmer
As the hard fought first half of the Auburn/Clemson football game raged on, in Death Valley, another battle of the Tigers was taking place right here on campus. Looking to go undefeated in the annual War Eagle Invite, our very own women’s volleyball had to get by Clemson, for the ultimate battle of jungle cat supremacy.
With The Nun commentating, the potential for an undefeated tournament, and head coach Rick Nold’s 100th win with Auburn, the scene was set perfectly. Starters Karis Beasely, Brenna McIlroy, Shaina White, Jesse Earl, Gwyn Jones, Alexa Filley, and Anna Stevenson took the court to defend the Auburn Arena. After losing the first point, Auburn struck second, and never looked back. Hard strikes from Shaina White and Macy Reece, on the front line, sent balls flying back towards Clemson, rarely ever to be stopped. Auburn took an easy 10 to 5 lead. Number 21 Alexa Filley stepped up to serve, and the first set was all but over. After 10 consecutive points, and a bit of back and forth action, Auburn took the first game 25-19. The next two sets were much of the same.
The home team struck first blood in the second set, and went on an easy 3 to nothing run; behind excellent leadership and play by libero Jesse Earl, and strong slams to the ground by Anna Stevenson. The Auburn onslaught sent Clemson reeling. A huge sparkplug and integral part of this Auburn offense, Brenna McIlroy, sent numerous balls hurling towards the Clemson side, most untouched. Gwyn Jones stepped up huge, up front, to block shots left and right. Auburn dominated in almost every aspect of this set, easily winning 25 to 18.
Striking fiercely first, Auburn scored the first point of the third set. That first point lead to 5 unanswered points by the home team. Clemson had to immediately call their fourth timeout of the game to try and conjure up a plan to handle the real tigers of the south, however, to no avail. Behind a huge offensive display of prowess, Auburn won the third and final set. After the game, Head Coach Nold was swarmed by his players and fellow coaches congratulating him on his career benchmark of 100 wins. He said he was “very impressed with his group as a whole” and “how they fought through and work great as a whole everyday”. But for now, C.U later Clemson University and War Damn Eagle.
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