AUBURN, Ala. – Taking on a Power 5 opponent, Alabama A&M (0-7, 0-0 SWAC) could not keep pace offensively as Auburn (5-0, 0-0 SEC) delivered a 3-0 sweep by scores of 25-9, 25-14 and 25-13 in an NCAA Division I women's volleyball match on Tuesday, September 6.
The Tigers wasted no time in the opening set as they took 11 of the first 14 points on their way to a commanding 19-4 lead. From there they would close out the 25-9 victory to take a 1-0 match lead.
A&M would take early leads of 3-1 and 4-2 in the second frame and the teams would be separated by no more than four points over the first 22. With Auburn leading just 13-10 the tide would turn quickly as they exploded for a set-ending 12-4 run that gave them a 25-14 decision and two set lead.
After notching a pair of leads and five ties over the first 10 points of Game 3, the Bulldogs would see the Tigers assert themselves with a debilitating 18-5 outburst that left them with a massive 23-10 advantage. A&M then notched the next three before wrapping up the frame at 25-13 to cap the 3-0 decision.
Sophomore setter
Keyara Brooks (Arlington, Texas) led Alabama A&M with 11 assists and eight digs while freshman libero
Tammy Melendez Mondragon (Pelham, Ala.) equaled the latter tally with eight digs of her own. Freshman middle blocker
Madison Reagins (Duncanville, Texas) rounded out the top performers with four kills and six digs.
Bel Zimmerman led the Tigers with 11 kills while Jordan Sinness dished out 29 assists with eight digs and three service aces. Sarah Morton anchored the defense with 14 digs and Kendal Kemp had seven kills and four block assists. Akasha Anderson chipped in with six kills and seven digs.
The Bulldogs jump right back into action this weekend as they had south to Montgomery, Alabama for the ISTAP HBCU Challenge hosted by rival Alabama State. They will take on Coppin State and Delaware State at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, on Friday, September 9 before closing out the tournament against South Carolina State at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 10.
