The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
5-7, 1-3SEC
Auburn
8-6, 2-2SEC
Morgan, Thomas Lead Rebels In Loss At Auburn
9/25/2011 | Volleyball
Sept. 25, 2011
AUBURN, Ala. - Kara Morgan put down a team-high eight kills, while senior middle blocker Regina Thomas hit .429 with seven kills and five blocks, but it wasn't enough for victory as Ole Miss (5-7, 1-3 SEC) fell to Auburn (8-6, 2-2 SEC) on Sunday by a score of 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 12-25).
Thomas hit .429 in the match to continue her torrid hitting pace this season and has hit above the .400 mark in three consecutive conference matches.
It was a back-and-forth struggle to open the first set before Auburn capitalized on a kill and three straight miscues from the Rebels to snap a 7-7 tie and stake a claim on a four-point advantage over Ole Miss. The Rebels continued to fight, but could get no closer than the four point differential as Auburn took the first set 25-19 to open the match.
Ole Miss got off to a quick start to open the second set, racing out to a 5-1 lead and before doubling up the Tigers at 12-6 on a kill from Regina Thomas. The Rebels continued to hold on the lead, but couldn't fight off a persistent Auburn team as the Tigers kept chipping away at the lead.
Auburn tied the set 17 on a block from Kelly Fidero and pushed ahead for good on a kill from Fidero that gave the Tigers a 19-18 advantage. Ole Miss couldn't regain the lead as Auburn took the second set 25-22.
The Rebels couldn't solve the Auburn attack out of the break between sets as the Tigers pushed out to an early 4-1 lead and extended the advantage from there. Ole Miss dropped the match after falling to Auburn 25-12 in the third set.
The Rebels will return to action on Wednesday when Ole Miss will continue play on the road at the Alabama Crimson Tide. The match will begin at 7 p.m. on the campus of the University of Alabama. Ole Miss will then return home to host Mississippi State at 4 p.m. on Sunday in a match televised by ESPNU.
