Nov. 5, 2010

Final Stats by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn (17-10, 8-7 SEC) captured a three-set victory in front of 674 fans at the Student Activities Center over South Carolina (5-19, 2-12 SEC), taking the sets, 25-18, 25-23, 25-13.

Freshman outside hitter Juliette Thévenin posted her third double-double of the year, leading the Gamecocks with 10 kills and 17 digs. Freshman middle blocker Frankie Vain tied her career best with seven kills while leading the way with three blocks. Auburn’s Sarah Bullock led all players with 12 kills and added 13 digs, while Katherine Culwell added 10 kills. Liz Crouch topped the Tigers with 15 digs.

The Tigers ran out to leads of 5-1 and 8-4 before the Gamecocks fought back to hold an 11-10 lead. Auburn responded with a four-point run to take a 14-11 lead before South Carolina got within one on senior Megan Laughlin’s ace at 15-14. But the Tigers ran away, taking five of the next six before closing out the frame at 25-18 on Bullock’s fifth kill of the set. Culwell had seven on a .462 hitting percentage.

The Gamecocks came out strong in the second, getting a 10-6 lead after a pair of kills from senior Hannah Lawing, who played the final two sets at outside hitter, and a block by Vain and senior Jordan Bradosky. Auburn stayed in it, taking an 18-17 lead when Culwell closed a three-point string. The Gamecocks retook the lead at 20-18 after a pair of Lawing kills and one from Vain, but they would not hold it long. The Tigers won five of the next six points to hold a 23-21 advantage. A block by Lawing and Vain forced Auburn to use its final timeout with a one-point lead. A Gamecock error pushed Auburn to set point, but Vain put down the quick set to extend things. It would not matter, as Johns landed a kill to end the second in favor of Auburn, 25-23.

Auburn rolled to a 25-13 win in the third set, holding South Carolina to a .057 hitting percentage in the frame. Eight Tigers had kills in the frame, with Chloe Rowand putting away the clincher.

The Tigers held big advantages in kills, assists and hitting percentage while also winning the digs battle, 52-50. The teams tied in aces and blocks.

South Carolina plays at Georgia on Sunday, with first serve starting at 1:30 p.m. EST.