JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State volleyball is set to host one of their biggest matches in recent history on Saturday night. The Gamecocks (12-0) will take on Auburn (10-0) at the Pete Mathews Coliseum at 6 p.m. in a battle of unbeaten in the 2022 JSU Invitational.
 
Admission to tonight's showdown at the Pete Mathews Coliseum is free of charge. The match will start at 6 p.m. in Jacksonville. Fans are encouraged to "Pack the Pete" and support the undefeated Gamecocks in a key home match.
 
"Auburn should be a great match tonight," Jacksonville State volleyball head coach Todd Garvey said. "They are a really good blocking team that has a lot of height. They have a lot of options offensively and are off to one of their best starts in a long time.
 
"We hope that the student body and community come out and support us," Garvey said. "It should be an exciting night of volleyball between two teams who are playing really well right now."
 
JSU has had an historic start to the season. The Gamecocks have cruised by their first 12 non-conference opponents, clinching eight sweeps and knocking off two Power 5 programs on the road in Clemson and Indiana. Their 12-0 mark has set a new program-best start to non-conference play since moving to Division I in 1995. 
 
The Auburn Tigers have also set history in their second season under Brent Crouch. The Tigers' 10-0 start to the 2022 campaign sets a new program-best mark in the rally scoring era. Crouch has led Auburn to sweeps of the Georgia State and UAB Tournaments, and the Tigers have gone to five sets just once in their first ten matches. 
 
The two Yellowhammer State powers have each picked up a pair key victories to start the JSU Invitational. Jacksonville State swept Jackson State on Friday morning to open the tournament then downed Southern Miss in four sets in the Day 1 finale. Auburn beat Southern Miss in three competitive sets on Friday afternoon then swept Jackson State to start Saturday's action.
 
JSU's hot start to the season has come as a result of several standout performers. Fifth-year middle blocker Katie Montgomery leads the ASUN in hit percentage (.431) and graduate transfer Claire Ochs is second in the conference in assists per set (10.83). Fifth-year outside hitter Lena Kindermann is fourth in the league in kills per set (3.76), sixth in points per set (4.04), and seventh in hitting (.362). Senior Kylee Quigley leads the ASUN in service aces (26) and aces per set (0.70) and senior libero Erin Carmichael is tenth in digs per set (3.83).
 
Auburn is an incredibly young squad, as seven of their 13 players on the roster are freshmen. However, the Tigers' youth is certainly a strength, and numerous first-year players can be found on the court at any time. As of Saturday morning, 6-foot-6 freshman Kendal Kemp is second in the Southeastern Conference in blocks per set (1.56) and freshman libero Sarah Morton is second in the league in digs (4.28 per set). Senior Rebekah Rath (4.42) and freshmen Akasha Anderson (3.32) and Madison Sheer (3.04) lead Auburn in kills per set. 
 
Those unable to attend can watch tonight's contest on ESPN+. Additionally, score updates will be posted on JSU Volleyball's Twitter account (@JSUGamecockVB). Live stats and post-game coverage will be provided at JSUGamecockSports.com.