AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn and Oklahoma battled back and forth through the first set, with neither team able to create separation on the scoreboard. Both teams traded kills and errors as the score stayed close, eventually tying at 24-24. Oklahoma edged ahead to take the first set 26-24.
Auburn came out strong in the second set, building an early lead with kills from Belle Patrick and Kate Mansfield.
Oklahoma stayed within reach, and the teams traded points throughout the set, tying the score at 10-10, 13-13, and 15-15.
Auburn began to pull away late in the set, with strong blocking performances and by taking advantage of Oklahoma's attack errors. The Tigers extended their lead to 23-17 before Oklahoma added a few points of their own.
Auburn reached set point at 24-18 and closed it out 25-19 to take the second set.
The third set was all orange and blue. Auburn committed few errors and kept the Sooners from gaining momentum, holding Oklahoma to just 13 points and later taking control to earn a 25-13 win.
Oklahoma secured the fourth set with a 26-24 win in a dramatic finish. The Sooners held a small advantage for much of the set, but Auburn answered with key plays from Anastasija Ivkovic and Lauren Dreves.
Auburn made a late push, getting back into the set with a service ace from Shanelle Puetz and several front-row kills. After the Tigers tied the score at 24-24 with a kill from Mansfield, Oklahoma responded with two straight points to take the set and force a deciding fifth set.
The fifth featured a total of 18 ties. Auburn kept gaining momentum toward the end, then lost it with crucial service errors. However, an attack error by Oklahoma's Tekoa Barnes gave Auburn the final point and secured the victory.
Oklahoma outside hitter Alyssa Flack had 23 kills, and Auburn right-side hitter Ivkovic had 14 kills with an outstanding .400 hitting percentage.
Auburn will return to Neville Arena on Friday, Nov. 6, to face the Georgia Bulldogs at 6 p.m. CST. The match will be streamed on SEC Network+.
