Tigers Defeated by Alabama, 3-0, in SEC Volleyball 

Nov. 12, 2003

Julie Bolser

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The Auburn volleyball team suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Alabama, 30-23, 30-26, 30-23, on Wednesday night in Southeastern Conference volleyball. The loss dropped the Tigers' overall record to 10-17 and their SEC record to 1-14. Alabama improved to 16-12, 10-5 SEC.

Ashlee Johns led the Tigers offensively, putting down 15 kills with a .303 attack percentage while Bailey Veit added eight kills and nine digs. Veit and Johns each added four blocks for AU. Kristen Bertucci had 11 digs to pace the Tigers defensively, the 11th match she recorded double-figure digs in and the third in a row.

Both games one and two saw the score knotted at 13-13 and each time the Crimson Tide scored the ensuing point, never allowing the Tigers to tie the game again.

Game three was more of the same as the Tigers hung with Alabama up until 13-10 before the Crimson Tide went on a 7-2 run to take hold of the match.

Erin Heffner and Jennifer Bibber combined for 17 of Alabama's 21 kills in game one and 14 of 18 in game two. The duo then put down 12 of UA's 17 kills in the match clincher.

The match was played in front of series record 1,227 fans at the CAVE.

The Tigers take to the court for the final time in the 2003 season on Sunday as Auburn plays host to Arkansas in a 1:30 p.m. match.