The No.12 Kentucky Wildcats (6-5) and Alabama Crimson Tide (8-3) make the trip to Neville Arena this weekend to face off against the Auburn Tigers (10-1).
Auburn kicks off its weekend set against the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night at 8:00pm CST for the Tigers’ first SEC matchup of the season.
Auburn comes into this game on a hot streak, winning six of its last seven matches, with only three lost sets combined in each game won.
Outside hitters, Madison Scheer and Bel Zimmerman, aim to take control of the match early, as they are Head Coach Brent Crouch’s most dominating players. Scheer and Zimmerman have the ability to take over any match, with both being responsible for over 120 points scored and more than 100 kills each this season. With help from setters Kalei Edson and Peyton Dunn serving the ball, both averaging over five aces per set, expect this fiery Auburn team to give both Kentucky and Alabama a run for their money.
Despite a 6-5 record, Kentucky, ranked No. 12 in the country, comes into Neville with one of the best outside hitters in the SEC, Brooklyn DeLeye, hungry for a win.
Kentucky, fresh off a hard fought, 3-1 loss to No.2 Stanford, is desperate in its match against Auburn. Having lost four of their last seven with three straight losses, the Wildcats aim to get back into the win column against the Tigers.
Brooklyn DeLeye may be the deciding factor in this matchup for the Tigers. DeLeye is one of the most consistent players in the conference, hosting 17 kills and 40 assists in the Wildcats loss to Stanford last week. Expect Kentucky’s offense to be run through DeLeye Friday night.
Auburn backs its conference opener up with a rivalry matchup against the University of Alabama on Sunday in Neville Arena.
The Crimson Tide, backed by the offensive firepower of upperclassmen Sophie Agee and Paris Thompson, hope to take down the Tigers on their second SEC roadtrip of the week.
The Tide will be making the trip to Neville Arena Sunday following a match against Tennessee Wednesday. Hoping to snap their two match losing streak, a win against No. 20 Tennessee would give Alabama the boost of confidence they need if they want to walk out of Neville Arena with a win to show for their trip.
Auburn and Kentucky's SEC opener is slated to start at 8:00p.m. CST on Friday, Sept. 27 with Auburn's clash with Alabama is scheduled to begin at 4:00p.m. CST on Sunday, Sept. 29. Coverage for both games will air on the SEC Network+ and can be heard on WEGL 91.1 FM locally in the Auburn, Opelika area.
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Charlie is a sophomore from Mendham, New Jersey. He is majoring in journalism and started with The Plainsman in spring 2024.
