University of Georgia
Auburn
Georgia Falls 3-1 to Auburn
October 01, 2014 | Volleyball
AUBURN, Ala. - The Georgia volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (18-25, 16-25, 25-23, 11-25) decision to the Auburn Tigers in its first road Southeastern Conference match of the season at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Ala. The Bulldogs fall to 8-6 on the year and 0-2 in league play, while Auburn moves to 9-7 overall and 1-2 in the SEC.
"I give Auburn a lot of credit tonight for being the better team," Head Coach Lizzy Stemke said. "The fought hard together and we did not. We have the talent, but we need to find the unity within this group and trust the process."
Lauren Teknipp led the Bulldogs with 10 kills, followed by Tirah Le'au with eight. Kaylee Kehoe put up a team-best 20 assists to pace the offensive effort. Gaby Smiley patrolled the backcourt well, racking up 19 digs to lead the team. The Bulldogs continued to be effective at the net defensively, combining for 12 assisted blocks and two solo stops. Desiree McCray and Teknipp led the team in blocks with four each, followed by Jasmine Eatmon with three.
The Bulldogs and Tigers kept the first set close, tying three times before Auburn was able to take a 7-5 lead. Georgia fought back to take a 9-8 lead after an Auburn error sparked a 3-0 run that was capped off by an Eatmon ace. Neither team was able to take control of the set until the Bulldogs won three-straight points that allowed them to push to a 15-13 lead. With Georgia holding a 17-15 lead, Auburn went on a 9-0 run that gave it set point at 24-17. Georgia got one more point, but the Tigers ultimately took the set 25-18.
After dropping the second set 25-16, the Bulldogs fought back for a come-from-behind win in the third set that cut the match lead to 2-1. Georgia took three of the first four points of the set, but Auburn answered by fighting back to take a 5-3 lead. The Bulldogs responded well, scoring four-straight points that saw them retake the lead at 7-5. The set was close until Auburn put together a 6-0 run that make a 16-9 set. The Bulldogs didn't go away, putting up three points of their own, including one on a kill by McCray that cut the lead to 16-12. Georgia continued its 10-2 run that gave it a 19-18 lead and forced Auburn to call a timeout. During the stretch, the Bulldogs got a block from McCray and kills by Amanda Dachs and Teknipp. The teams battled back and forth over the next several possessions, tying twice before the Bulldogs scored the final three points, including the rally-starter on kill by Le'au. Georgia forced Auburn out of system, causing it to make an error that sealed the come-from-behind 25-23 win that cut the overall lead to 2-1.
Georgia took the first point of the fourth and final set, but Auburn was able to take the momentum back, jumping out to a 14-4 lead. The Bulldogs were unable to overcome the early deficit and find an offensive rhythm, falling 25-11 in the fourth set and 3-1 in the match.
Georgia returns to the friendly confines of the Ramsey Center when it hosts the Missouri Tigers on Sunday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. The match will be televised on the SEC Network.
