AUBURN, Ala.- Auburn Volleyball played host to Jackson State Friday night, sweeping the fellow Tigers 25-18, 25-21, and then 25-14. The Tigers improved to 4-1 on the season behind another impressive game by Lauren Dreeves and her outside hitter partners.
It was a struggle for both teams just to get over the net in the first couple of minutes, as three of the first combined six points were service errors. Jackson State was the first team early on to really capitalize on the mistakes, taking an early 6-3 lead, putting pressure on a slow-starting Auburn offense.
It would be Liz Markovska, the transfer from Cal Poly, who would respond to the early pressure for Auburn, getting three kills to aid a 6-0 run to put Auburn up 9-6. That spurt from Markovska would fuel her for the rest of the night as she was one of only two Auburn Tigers to get double-digit kills, pairing nicely with four digs. After the game, Markovska was asked what the key was for her and Lauren tonight on the outside.
“Our main goal was just to keep sending it, hitting it high, far, and deep. Not to get greedy,” Markovska said.
Auburn would close out the first, winning 25-18, never really letting Jackson State get back into the set, as Markovska’s outside hitting partner, Lauren Dreeves, got started. Dreeves would complement with four kills, adding to the team’s 11 in the first and exposing the center of the Jackson State defense. After the game, Markovska was asked what the key was for her and the other hitters for Auburn tonight on the outside.
“Our main goal was just to keep sending it, hitting it high, far, and deep, not to get greedy,” Markovska said.
Jackson State would make it a more competitive second set, taking the lead late, 18-16, behind the hot play of Jayden James. With Jackson State’s momentum at its highest since the beginning of the match, Auburn would have to respond once again to secure the set. Auburn’s front line answered the call, scoring nine of the last 12 points of the set behind some Kate Mansfield blocks.
Grace Havlicek scored four quick offensive points to start the third, including three straight aces as Auburn looked to close the match. Dreeves would continue her hot night, finishing with 12 total kills as she extended her double-digit kill streak to five straight games.
Looking ahead, Markoska and the Auburn Tigers “want to be in the top 25…” and they feel like they have the team to do it. They will look to continue that win streak as they host Virginia on Monday as a part of the SEC-ACC Showdown at the Net. That game will be at 5:30 PM and will be broadcast on SECN+ and WEGL 91.1FM.
