Trojans Fall to Auburn in Home Opener

Tuesday, September 4

Troy, Ala.

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

Auburn

9/4/2012 9:29:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

TROY, Ala. – A good crowd filled Sartain Hall for Troy volleyball's home opener, but the Trojans weren't able to pull the upset as Auburn defeated the Trojans, 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-23).

“The crowd was amazing,” Troy head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “But Auburn played really well and that's why they're 7-0.”

Troy (3-4) hit .118 on the night, led by Kayla Pickart's 10 kills and Brianna Bartlett's 18 assists. Alexandra Alexander led the Trojans with 13 digs while Kelley Curran was also in double figures with 11. Alicia Dukes played well for the Trojans as she came off the bench and hit .400 with seven kills.

Auburn (6-0) hit .220 on the night led by Sarah Bullock's 13 kills, followed by Courtney McDonald's 12. The Tigers posted 8.0 total team blocks, led by McDonald's five. Auburn held Troy to 35 kills while they hit 48 themselves.

“We knew Auburn would be a very disciplined team and they would play great defense,” Kirkpatrick said. “We left plays on the floor that if we make them it's a different match.”

The Trojans struggled offensively in the first set as they posted eight errors with seven kills as Auburn turned a two-point lead at 11-9 into an 18-12 advantage. Troy cut it back down to two at 18-16 before the Tigers went back up by six to take the set 25-19.

Troy doubled its kills total in the second set as they posted 14 kills in the second frame, but they still fell in a five-point hole at 17-12 and couldn't claw out of it, falling 25-21 as Auburn took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

The Trojans hit a match-best .282 in the third set while Auburn swung at .250, but a tight game late at 19-19 turned the Tigers favor at 23-20 before they took the match deciding set, 25-23.

“We've got two days to get better and get ready for Chattanooga,” Kirkpatrick said. “If we stick to the process, we'll be alright and we'll get better.”

The Trojans return to the court this weekend as they travel to Kennesaw State for the two-day Owls Invitational where they will take on Chattanooga, North Carolina Central, Tennessee State, and host Kennesaw State.

For more information on Troy Athletics, be sure to visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.