Auburn Volleyball Hosts South Carolina for Senior Day Matchup

Auburn Volleyball Prepares for Emotional Senior Day Against South Carolina

The Auburn volleyball team returns to the Plains this Sunday for a pivotal matchup against South Carolina, a game that carries weight far beyond the final score. As the Tigers (13-11, 3-9 SEC) look to recover from a grueling 3-2 loss to Georgia on Friday, the program will pause to honor a group of seniors who have navigated a demanding season. The post-match ceremony will celebrate the contributions of Eden Bower, Symone Sims, Jasmine Okeoma, and Shanelle Puetz, along with student staff members Karlee Carrell, Carter Gjesvold, and Hallie Rogers.

Sunday’s 2 p.m. CT contest, which will be streamed on SEC Network+, serves as a chance for Auburn to regain momentum before closing out the regular season on the road. For South Carolina (9-13, 2-10 SEC), the match represents an opportunity to break a four-match losing streak that has seen them face a gauntlet of ranked opponents, including Florida, Vanderbilt, and Texas. While the all-time series history favors the Gamecocks at 31-22, Auburn has claimed three of the last four meetings, including a comeback victory last season where they dropped the opening set before sweeping the next three.

Refining the Rotation for a Late-Season Push

The tactical identity of this Auburn squad underwent a significant transformation on October 16, when head coach Kate Mansfield transitioned from middle blocker to pin hitter. According to reporting from auburntigers.com, the move was designed to anchor the offense by pairing Mansfield with Grace Havlicek, the team’s top two blockers, during key rotations. The statistical shift since that change has been stark. Auburn’s hitting percentage in SEC play jumped from .153 to .240, while their points per set rose from 14.10 to 16.48.

BIG TALK. BIGGER WIN. 👏 Auburn dominates No. 1 South Carolina, 14-5!#WarEagle | #SetTheStandard pic.twitter.com/aykmnEHmBX

— https://x.com/AuburnEQ/status/2108625383574872086

This adjustment also facilitated the return of Emma Moore to the starting middle blocker position. Moore, who has been working through a long-term recovery from Tommy John surgery, logged a career-high 11.0 points against Georgia. The front-row efficiency remains a bright spot for the Tigers; the team has averaged 2.92 blocks per set over their last three outings, with Havlicek contributing an average of 1.69 blocks individually during that same stretch.

The Statistical Disparity at the Service Line

Sunday’s match highlights a clash of distinct statistical profiles. While South Carolina struggles significantly with service pressure—ranking 337th in NCAA Division I with just 1.01 aces per set—they maintain a defensive presence at the net, ranking 50th nationally with 2.46 blocks per set. The Gamecocks rely heavily on libero Lilly Gillespie, who currently holds the 85th spot in the country with 4.15 digs per set, and outside hitter Olivia Borgman, who leads the team with 245 kills on the year.

For Auburn, the challenge lies in consistency. In their Friday loss to Georgia, the Tigers hit .312 in the second set and showed grit by fending off a late comeback, yet they ultimately fell in a tight 15-13 fifth set. Shanelle Puetz nearly notched a double-double with 57 assists and nine digs, while Belle Patrick provided a spark with 17 kills—her highest total since the SEC opener against Arkansas. Whether the Tigers can sustain that offensive output against a South Carolina team desperate to snap their losing streak will likely determine the outcome of this senior day celebration.

Following the conclusion of Sunday’s match, the Tigers head into the final week of the regular season. They are scheduled to face Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, November 11, at 8 p.m. before wrapping up their SEC campaign at Mississippi State on November 15.