AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - Auburn Volleyball returned home to Neville Arena for its final match on the Plains this season, taking on No. 4 Texas in a highly anticipated Senior Night showdown. The Tigers showed resilience throughout the night, forcing a fifth set against one of the nation’s top teams before ultimately falling 3–2.
Set one started evenly, but Texas began to pull away midway through. Auburn kept things close early with kills from Lauren Dreves and Liz Markovska, but several attack errors allowed the Longhorns to build separation. Texas took the opening frame 25–19.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Auburn stayed within reach behind strong play from Markovska and Dreves, yet Texas’s offensive efficiency proved tough to match. The Longhorns used a late run to win 25–21 and go up 2–0 in the match.
The Tigers answered in the third set with their best offensive rhythm of the night. Markovska delivered six kills, while Dreves added four of her own. Setter Shanelle Puetz spread the ball around to help Auburn hit over .300 in the frame, taking the set 25–21. The Auburn block and block touch also got involved thanks to Kate Mansfield and Grace Havlicek
Auburn kept the momentum in the fourth, led by a balanced attack and key defensive plays from Mansfield and libero Kalei Edson. The Tigers held off a late Texas push to win 25–22 and force a decisive fifth set.
The final frame saw Texas regain control, jumping ahead early and never looking back. Auburn tried to stay in the set, but the Tigers were unable to play consistently in system and couldn't hang on. Auburn eventually fell 15–9, allowing the Longhorns escaped with the match win.
Markovska led Auburn with career-high 20 kills and an impressive 14 digs, followed by Dreves with 17 kills. Bel Zimmerman added 13 kills on .324 hitting, while Mansfield totaled eight blocks. Auburn finished with 57 kills, 52 assists, 64 digs, and 11 total blocks.
The Tigers (16–9, 7–7 SEC) will close the regular season on the road Friday, facing LSU in Baton Rouge, La. at 7 p.m. CDT.
