No. 24 Auburn volleyball’s offensive barrage led the way in a 3-2 comeback victory over Texas A&M. Three different Tigers recorded double-digit kills en route to the Tigers' fourth straight SEC win.
“Really tough opponent and a really good win," said head coach Brent Crouch. "I’m just so proud of the team."
Akasha Anderson and Madison Scheer each recorded 16 kills and Bella Bell recorded 11.
Despite Auburn hitting .379 in the opening frame, Texas A&M took the first set 25-21 while hitting .263. Anderson, Scheer, and Bell all picked up multiple kills in the first set on their way to double-digit kills.
Auburn continued its impressive offensive night in the second set, hitting .464 behind Kendal Kemp’s four kills. The Tigers equalized the match with a 25-19 second set win and held Texas A&M to a .161 hitting percentage.
Texas A&M jumped back in front with a 25-23 third-set victory. In the set, the lead was exchanged 16 times as the Aggies closed the set. Texas A&M, down 19-18, scored six consecutive times to propel it to the third set victory.
Down two sets to one, one set from defeat, Auburn rallied around another impressive hitting percentage of .343 in the fourth set to force the winner-take-all fifth set after the 25-22 victory in the fourth set.
The trend continued in the final set as Auburn hit .300 and captured its fourth straight win over the Aggies, though the Aggies lead the series 14-5. With the win, Auburn improved to 5-1 in five-set matches this season.
“They keep working really hard, and it’s paying off," Crouch said. "Very proud of the way they hung together. This team just doesn’t like to lose.”
Auburn finished the night hitting .320 and improved to 17-0 under Crouch when hitting .300 or higher.
The Tigers' three-game road streak ends as Auburn returns home to face No. 13 Kentucky in a top-25 matchup.
Auburn faces Kentucky, which leads the SEC, on Wednesday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. CST in Neville Arena. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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Craig Noyes is a junior from Kensington, Maryland, majoring in journalism. He joined The Plainsman in January 2023.
Twitter: @craignoyes58
