Auburn volleyball wraps up its solid non-conference schedule at the Alabama Showdown hosted by Samford University at the Pete Hanna Center. Over three days, the Tigers will face three teams from the state of Alabama, starting with UAB on September 18 at 3:30 p.m. and followed by Samford and South Alabama. Auburn’s game against Samford will air on ESPN+.
The Tigers (6-2) look to rebound after splitting their last two matches with Florida State. Their only other loss was at No. 3 Louisville in the season opener. In addition to ACC wins over Florida State and Virginia, the Tigers previously enjoyed a win over St. John’s of the Big East Conference.
Auburn’s strongest statistic is blocks. The Tigers are top ten in the nation in blocks per set (3.10), and sophomore middle blocker Kate Mansfield is a key reason why. Through eight games, the transfer from Cal is averaging 1.58 blocks per set. She recently set a career high in blocks against Florida State in Neville Arena with ten blocks.
Behind Mansfield, libero/defensive specialist Alexis Dacosta has been stellar in the back row, averaging 4.62 digs per set. On offense, Liz Markovska and Lauren Dreves are the two-headed monster of the Auburn attack with 111 and 110 points, as well as 100 and 96 kills, respectively.
Auburn and UAB (6-3) have played one common opponent so far this season, the Morehead State Eagles. Auburn beat the Eagles 3-0 while UAB lost 0-3.
UAB’s Jorda Crook leads the Blazers in kills with 130, thirty-eight more than the team’s second-best. The 2024 First Team All-AAC opposite hitter is also third on the team in blocks (26), digs (59), and service aces (11). Crook is incredibly talented athletically. In addition to her volleyball production at Ohatchee High School, she was the 2023 Alabama 3A Player of the Year in basketball as well as track and field state champion in multiple events, including high jump.
The Tigers lead the series with UAB 24-8 since 1979 and have won fourteen in a row over the Blazers. The last time these teams matched up was at last year’s Alabama Showdown, where the Tigers swept the Blazers 3-0.
Tournament host Samford (4-4) will be next up for the Tigers on September 19 at 6:30 p.m. Both teams defeated their only common opponent, Troy.
The Bulldogs bring back 2024 All-SoCon Second Team opposite hitter Kaleigh Meritt. In 2023, Meritt was named SoCon Freshman of the Year as well as to the All-SoCon First Team. As Samford’s main attacker, she leads the team in total attempts (332), points (129.5), and kills (120). Despite her attacking prowess, she is prone to serve errors (23) with only six serve aces to show for it.
The Tigers’ bout with South Alabama on September 19 at 3:30 p.m. is their last of the event. The Jaguars’ 4-3 record looks mediocre on the surface, but their three losses were against respectable opponents #21 Baylor (who they took a set from), LSU in Baton Rouge, and Iowa State.
2024 All-Sun Belt Second Team outside hitter Sarah Gooch leads the Jaguars’ attack alongside Freshman Cambria Gaier. On defense, 6’3” redshirt freshman Alexa Strandberg leads the team in blocks as the middle hitter, while senior libero/defensive specialist Briana Wilson spearheads the back row.
In the event’s two years of existence, Auburn has never lost at the Alabama Showdown. The Tigers hope to keep it that way and bring some momentum into conference play.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
