The biggest area that requires improvement is the Tigers’ consistency. There have been matches such as the October 18 meeting against Missouri in which Auburn started the match off slow, losing the first two sets 25-12 and 25-14. However, Auburn eventually settled in, winning the third set 25-21 bultimately losing the fourth set 27-25. Auburn has had matches though in which the Tigers lose a tight first set and a “snowball effect” incurs. In Auburn’s last match against LSU, Auburn lost the first set 25-19, before losing the next two sets by greater deficits each time at 25-19 in the second set and 25-13 in the third. Ultimately, Auburn has demonstrated spurts to suggest that it has the ability to compete matches. However, the Tigers cannot start matches out flat or let a first set defeat diminish its confidence.
Auburn has had its moments where it has shown signs of improvement, including a stretch in late October when the Tigers won a set in three straight matches against Missouri, Georgia and Mississippi State.
With four matches left in the regular season, there are several different areas of play Auburn needs to improve upon to get its first conference win.
One part of Auburn’s play that Auburn needs to improve on is limiting attacking errors. In conference play, Auburn has had 7 matches in which it has had 20 or more attacking errors.
The biggest area that requires improvement is the Tigers’ consistency. There have been matches such as the October 18 meeting against Missouri in which Auburn started the match off slow, losing the first two sets 25-12 and 25-14. However, Auburn eventually settled in, winning the third set 25-21 before ultimately losing the fourth set 27-25. Auburn has had matches though in which the Tigers lose a tight first set and a “snowball effect” incurs. In Auburn’s last match against LSU, Auburn lost the first set 25-19, before losing the next two sets by greater deficits each time at 25-19 in the second set and 25-13 in the third. Ultimately, Auburn has demonstrated spurts to suggest that it has the ability to compete matches. However, the Tigers cannot start matches out flat or let a first set defeat diminish its confidence.
Auburn has a tough next match at home this Wednesday against number 15 ranked Florida. The other remaining matches though, home against South Carolina and away matches at Tennessee and Alabama, are winnable if the Tigers can play well in all facets of the match. By limiting attacking errors and playing consistently well for an entire match, Auburn can find an SEC victory in at least one of its final four matches.
