AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn returns home after a three-game road trip to host LSU at Neville Arena. Both teams are coming off of losses and looking to bounce back. It should be a high-intensity match on the plains. Auburn looks to bounce back from its first time dropping back-to-back games all year as LSU rolls onto the plains with just three conference wins.
Auburn has recently fallen out of the top 25 after their recent two-game skid but remains receiving votes in the latest RPI update. LSU has won just one set all season against ranked opposition in its three matches against such foes, and though no longer ranked, with Friday's match being a home game for the Tigers, it will feel like the top 25 team they’ve shown they are.
Auburn’s last two matches were a heartbreaking loss in Tuscaloosa dropping the fifth set and falling short after taking a two-to-one set lead into the fourth frame. Next was a visit to Knoxville which the Tigers will likely soon want to forget losing in four sets to the Vols who sit well below the Tigers in the SEC standings.
Serving at home will be key to Auburn’s hopes of getting back on track in the final stretch of the season. The Tigers had 15 service errors in each of their last two games and both ended in disappointment, limiting errors and maximizing aces will be key to an Auburn victory.
Something to watch in the clash of the two teams looking to solidify their conference records is the battle at the net. Auburn prides itself on its presence at the net and the blocks they can produce electrifying moments on the front line ranking second in the SEC in blocks, the front line will need to be on their A-game against LSU who comes in second to last in the conference in assists, kills, and hitting percentage. Auburn is second in the SEC in opponent hitting percentage so as much as it is on the offense to produce the Tigers have to be tight on defense and not allow LSU any chance to get in the match.
Some players to watch in the matchup will be Jurnee Robinson for LSU and Emma Moore for Auburn. Jurnee Robinson leads the SEC in kills per set the sophomore outside hitter has put the league on notice so far this year and it will be up to players such as Emma Moore for Auburn who is sixth in the SEC in SEC in blocks per set but has missed time due to injury, with her back Auburn will lean on her and other frontline players like Chelsea McCurdy who is eighth in the SEC in blocks per set.
The first serve from Neville Arena is Friday at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on SECN+. The radio broadcast will be on WEGL 91.1 in conjunction with the Auburn sports network.
