THE FLATS – Georgia Tech volleyball fell to Auburn 3-1 in Saturday’s exhibition match in O’Keefe Gymnasium. The Yellow Jackets open the regular season on Friday, Aug. 24 at 12 p.m. against Idaho State in O’Keefe.
How it happened:
The two teams traded points to kick off the first set but the Tigers took the edge at 10-7. Tech came within two at 12-10 off a kill by sophomore Grace Rigsbee but Auburn took five in a row to make it 15-10 causing Tech to call timeout. The Jackets took the next four coming out of the timeout to bring the tally to 15-14 inciting Auburn to use its first timeout of the set. Tech kept it close and used its second timeout when Auburn went back up by three at 19-16. The match stayed close but the Tigers clung to their lead, taking the set 25-22.
Auburn jumped out to an early lead in the second set. Trailing 6-1, the Jackets called a timeout to try to reverse the momentum. The Jackets were able to get their scoring going and freshman Matti McKissock got in on the action with a service ace. Freshman Breland Mossissette and sophomore Dominique Washington tallied back-to-back kills for the Jackets to keep Tech in it at 12-7. Auburn kept at it, pushing its lead to 16-10 to force Tech to use its second timeout. The Jackets made a late run, but weren’t able to get back in it and dropped the set at 25-16.
Auburn took another early lead but the Jackets kept at it, tying the set at 6-6 off a kill from sophomore Kendall Wilson. The two teams were tied at 10-10 before Jackets took control of the match. Freshman Mikaila Dowd tallied her fourth kill of the set to put Tech up 15-11, causing Auburn to call a timeout. The Jackets continued with the momentum forcing Auburn to use its second timeout at 21-15. The Yellow Jackets took the set at 25-19 on back-to-back service aces from freshman Maddie Tippett, bringing the tally to 2-1.
The fourth set was a closer affair. The Jackets took the early lead but Auburn kept it close, tying to set at 12-12. Auburn took over the lead, pushing the score to 15-12 and Tech called timeout. The Jackets brought the score back within one at 16-15 on a kill from Dowd. Auburn brought its lead to 20-16 and Tech used its second timeout of the set. The Jackets came back within two at 22-20 on a kill from Washington, causing Auburn to call a timeout. Another kill from Washington followed by a block from Rigsbee and junior Kodie Comby tied the set at 22-22. Tying again at 23-23, Auburn took two in a row to take the fourth set at 25-23, winning the match 3-1.
The Yellow Jackets open their season on Friday, Aug. 24 when they host Idaho State (12 p.m.) and Winthrop (7 p.m.) at O’Keefe Gymnasium as part of the Hyatt Regency Invitational. Tech also hosts Abilene Christian and Georgetown on Saturday, Aug. 25 as part of the tournament. Fans can purchase single game and season tickets for the upcoming 2018 season here.
Tech tidbits:
– Freshman Mikaila Dowd had a match-high 15 kills.
– Sophomore Dominique Washington tallied the second most kills on the team with 14.
– Freshman Maddie Tippett had a match-high 17 digs.
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