TUSCALOOSA, AL – Still winless in the SEC, Alabama volleyball came into a big match against their rival Auburn Tigers with hopes of gaining some momentum for next season.
The potential focus on next season was evidenced by the starting lineup decision from head coach Rashinda Reed. The Tide ran a very unorthodox combination, in which MH Alyiah Wells, MH Chaise Campbell, and freshman MH Jordyn Towns would all periodically switch from hitting in the middle and on the right. Essentially, the OH2 position was eliminated from the lineup.
An attacking error put the Tide down 10-18 early in set 1. A late service run by Callie Kieffer helped the Tide make a push, but they were thoroughly outplayed and dropped set 1 (18-25).
A stunning three successful challenges by Coach Reed aided the Tide to just a 13-14 deficit to begin set 2. A fantastic cut shot from freshman Opp Kaleigh Palmer gave the Tide a 24-20 advantage. A slide kill from Alyiah Wells gave the Tide a well-earned set victory (25-22).
An Auburn ace prompted an Alabama timeout, down 9-16 in set 3. However, a 7-2 scoring run from the Tide closed the gap to 16-18. Unfortunately, Alabama would go on to lose set 3 in a heartbreaker (23-25).
A kill from Palmer just grazed the corner to tie up set 4 at 14 apiece. The teams continued to play point-for-point, with the score dead even at 22-22. Unfortunately, the ball bounced Auburn’s way and the Tide lost set 4, and the match 1-3 (18-25, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25).
“Both teams battled out there and we got a step closer to our goals with how we want to perform as a team… These ladies are competitors, the freshmen are stepping up and the upperclassmen are leading. Seeing that growth happen with every match is awesome,” said Coach Reed on the team’s progress.
With the loss, Alabama falls to 10-12 (0-11). They’ll head to Texas A&M for their next conference matchup.
Elliott Scully serves as WVUA-FM’s senior volleyball writer. Follow Elliott on X @elliottscull.
