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# Auburn Montgomery 3, Tusculum 2: three close sets overturn a two-set lead
- URL: https://www.mayberrysports.com/auburn-montgomery-3-tusculum-2-three-close-sets-overturn-a-two-set-lead/
- Published: 2026-09-17T23:40:13.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-17T23:40:13.000Z
- Author: Rick Mayberry
- Tags: Women's Volleyball, #report, South Atlantic Conference, Tusculum, #Import 2026-09-17 23:40

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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL · AUGUST 28, 2026 · RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

## Executive brief

Tusculum won the first two sets convincingly in Jackson, Tennessee, but Auburn Montgomery answered with three consecutive two-point wins. A 25–15 second set left the Pioneers one set from victory; the final three went 26–24,25–23 and 16–14 to AUM. [\[1\]](#source-1)

## Official results — event profile

| Measure            | Tusculum | Auburn Montgomery |
| ------------------ | -------- | ----------------- |
| Set 1              | 25       | 18                |
| Set 2              | 25       | 15                |
| Set 3              | 24       | 26                |
| Set 4              | 23       | 25                |
| Set 5              | 14       | 16                |
| Kills              | 65       | 56                |
| Hitting percentage | .244     | .196              |
| Aces               | 10       | 9                 |

Published results. [\[1\]](#source-1)

## Decisive passage

The fifth remained level at 10–10,11–11,12–12,13–13 and 14–14\. Mackenzie Land’s kill saved a match point at 13–14, but Mya Lacey delivered kills on the next two rallies to close it. AUM recorded 12 kills to Tusculum’s five in the deciding set, a reversal of the Pioneers’ overall kills advantage. [\[1\]](#source-1)

## Player impact

Karris Oller led Tusculum with 15 kills on 29 attempts and two errors, a .448 hitting percentage. Land added 12 kills; Victoria Church posted 30 assists and four aces. Mary Katherine Hall had 23 digs. AUM’s Amiliaa DeLeon recorded 40 digs, and Lacey finished with 14 kills and five aces. [\[1\]](#source-1)

## Mayberry’s take

Tusculum’s stronger full-match attack percentage reflected real success, particularly its efficient second set. It did not carry equal weight in the short deciding set. The clearest review priority is the late-set sequences: AUM repeatedly found the final two-point separation while Tusculum’s early advantage ceased to affect the score. That is a match-specific observation, not evidence of a general inability to close.

## Conference context

This was nonconference competition. The result contributes to the team’s early-season record and evaluation, without changing its SAC win-loss record. The useful next comparison is whether the strengths and weaknesses visible here recur against subsequent opponents.

## Evidence scope

Analysis uses the official box score and rally log. Statistical differences describe the match; they do not establish unreported tactical instructions, injuries or player psychology.

## Sources

[\[1\] South Atlantic Conference — official box score and play-by-play](https://thesac.com/boxscore.aspx?id=JcLFfL9RUu0H5ystoOMbjQ7A58QMysWHEEqi7hufVoTWs1MYskGm8b%2f%2fF%2f0YNfO0MbNHT%2fAGlKRU%2fAXvIwJUNL9AIgV8b86qkH%2bxJAmLjCww8g6hwacY%2fBrsgv%2brfhCIB4th3iEBqJ17av4neqhKOXVSRL5zzmICCm87pp4wgnA%3d&path=wvball&ref=mayberrysports.com)