Nov. 10, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina is down to its last chance to earn a trip to the SEC Tournament as they close out their conference season this week and host the Auburn Tigers (8-14, 2-12) and the Alabama Crimson Tide (32-6, 9-5). The Auburn match is scheduled for Friday night at 7 p.m. Senior Day is Sunday prior to the 1:30 p.m. Alabama match. Seniors Nicole Miller, Sarah Morgan and Lauren Ford will be recognized.

The USC vs. Auburn match is the SEC’s featured match of the week. The Gamecocks need to win Friday and Sunday inorder to have a chance for a bid to the tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Should USC not make it to the tournament, it would mark the first time ever the Gamecocks have not advanced, a stretch of 15 years.

“This is a huge match for us. It has major tournament implications and we need to play hard and play focused,” said head coach Nancy Somera. “Every opponent is working hard to finish strong for tournament berths. I would like for us to finish conference play on a good note.”

USC has lost six straight matches and their last win came on Oct. 16 against Auburn in Auburn. In their last meeting against Alabama, the Tide swept the Gamecocks 3-0. Auburn is currently 10th in the conference while USC is ninth. The Tide is one of three teams in the conference with at least 20 wins and enters the weekend atop the SEC West.

Auburn is trying to snap a four-match losing streak as their last win came on Oct. 23 against Mississippi State. Alabama lost three straight to Arkansas, LSU and Florida before picking up a win over Georgia last weekend.

In the Auburn series, South Carolina leads 13-6 and in the Crimson Tide series, Alabama leads 15-11. USC has lost the last five matches to Alabama and has won 11 straight against the Tigers.

Fans will be admitted to matches this weekend for $1 with a business card on Friday or with a USC vs. Florida football game ticket stub on Sunday.