Oct. 13, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecock volleyball team (9-7, 2-4) returns to action this weekend and will travel to Alabama (16-3, 4-2) and Auburn (7-7, 1-5) with hopes to snap a two-match losing streak. The USC vs. Alabama match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. (CT) start on Friday night, while the Gamecocks will take on Auburn, Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (CT).

USC is currently fifth in the SEC East and is still searching for its first conference road win. Carolina is 2-2 against the SEC West so far this season. Alabama leads the series against USC 14-11 and has won the last four matches. South Carolina leads Auburn 12-6 and has a 10-match win streak in tact.

Junior Shonda Cole need 74 kills to reach the 1,000 kills mark for her career, Sarah Morgan is 60 digs from becoming one of USC’s all-time dig leaders.

The Tide enters the weekend tied for first in the SEC West and with their 16-3 record, this marks the best start for Alabama since 1989. Alabama’s two SEC losses were to Arkansas and Kentucky. Bridget Fuentez leads the Tide with 229 kills and Crystal Hudson leads in hitting with .385. Hudson also leads in total blocks with 70. Jessica Yearout is three digs shy of the 300 mark for the season, and ranks second in the SEC.

Auburn is looking to snap a four-match losing streak and is sixth in the SEC West. The Tigers have one SEC win and that came on Sept. 23 at Kentucky. Last weekend, Auburn fell to Ole Miss and Mississippi State, giving both schools their first conference wins of the season. Julie Bosler leads Auburn in hitting with .356, while Jennifer Amobi leads with 169 kills.

This series will be the last one on the road for the Gamecocks until November. USC’s next four matches will all be at home.

Both of the Alabama and Auburn matches can be heard live via audio webcasts on uscsports.com.