NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Allison Whitworth’s nine saves were huge.

So were the two that Katy Frierson made as Auburn rebounded from a tie on Friday night to down Vanderbilt, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon.

Frierson scored the first goal of the game and then made key saves on the post in both halves as Auburn claimed its first SEC victory of the season.

Auburn (5-4-2, 1-0-1 SEC) scored just 1:19 into the match as the freshman Frierson drew a foul 30 yards out and then ripped the free kick over the wall of Vanderbilt defenders for her first goal of the season.

Vanderbilt responded with a quick counter-attack after the restart, but Whitworth was up to the task in net, making a diving save after Vanderbilt’s Amy Wilcox got behind the Auburn defense inside the six.

“We came out fast, held possession and that led to the free kick,” Frierson said.

“We have been practicing free kicks all year. (Assistant coach) Amy Berbery told me just to hit it and I did and it went in.”

Volleyball falls at Mississippi State
STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Auburn volleyball team (5-10, 0-4 SEC) had to come from behind to force a fifth set, but fell short in the end as Mississippi State (5-9, 1-2 SEC) picked up the 3-2 (25-14, 25-18, 19-25, 18-25, 15-13) win.

The loss was the third for Auburn in a fifth set this season as the Tigers also dropped five-set decisions to Jacksonville State and Arkansas, both also in come-from-behind efforts.

“All the losses are tough, this one again being real tough,” said head coach Wade Benson. “Not coming out prepared to play was disappointment. We came back and lost it on our own unforced errors, something that has been part of the program here at Auburn that we are trying to change.”

Women’s golf finishes ninth in Tennessee
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The No. 8 Auburn women’s golf team rallied to post a 1-under-287 Sunday to finish ninth at the Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends Golf Course.

The Tigers entered the final round 14th and were able to put together three even par or lower scores. Individually, Candace Schepperle earned runner-up honors.

“We had a great round today and did a great job of climbing up the leader board, which was our goal,” head women’s golf coach Kim Evans said. “Candace continued her excellent play with a runner-up finish and we are very proud of the way she continues to play.”

Schepperle, who entered the final round leading all individuals, finished second after posting an even par round for a three-day 67-70-72—209 total.