The Auburn volleyball team returns to its home court for the first time in nearly three weeks this weekend as the Tigers open their Southeastern Conference schedule against Arkansas and Ole Miss.

Auburn (5-6) is coming off a 1-2 outing last weekend at the Michigan Pepsi Challenge. AU lost to Toledo (3-0) before bouncing back for a 3-1 win over Oakland.

The Tigers then became just the second team this season to take a set off 25th-ranked Michigan as the Wolverines pulled out the 3-1 win.

The SEC slate opens with the Razorbacks (3-7) at 6 p.m. today in the Student Activities Center.

It will be “Pack the Act” night in the Student Act with the first 250 spectators through the door getting a free T-shirt. There will also be a chance to win an autographed Tommy Tuberville football and a post-match autograph session with the players.

Weekend action continues Sunday as the Tigers take on Ole Miss (4-5) at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Act. It will be Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day with prizes available for faculty and staff members that present an ID at the door. It will also be International Student Day with all countries represented being recognized and a competition for the country most well-represented at the match.

The Auburn-Ole Miss match is also part of the SEC Yes We CAN Food Drive as fans are encouraged to bring canned food to donate to local food banks. Donation barrels will be available at the match.

Admission is free to both matches.

Soccer hosts final non-conference match
The Auburn soccer team will play its final non-conference match of the season tonight when it plays host to Samford at 7:30 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex.

Auburn enters the match 3-4-1 against one of the nation’s tougher schedules while Samford, an NCAA team a year ago, is just 1-6-0 on the season.

Tonight’s match is Tigers Unlimited Night, the SEC Together We “Can” Food Drive and Auburn/Opelika Parks and Recreation Night. The first 500 fans into the soccer complex will receive a drink hugger courtesy of Colonial Bank.

Soccer hires assistant
Sarah Steinmann has rejoined the Auburn soccer program, taking her place as the volunteer assistant coach on Karen Hoppa’s coaching staff.

Steinmann played at Auburn from 2001-04 and was the 2002 SEC Player of the Year and remains one of the most prolific scorers in program history.

The team leader in goals in 2001 (five) and 2003 (12), she is third on Auburn’s all-time goals list with 29. She is also fourth on the career assists list with 20, putting her into a two-way tie for second on the career-points list with 84.

Women’s tennis opens fall season today
The Auburn’s women’s tennis team will take to the court today for its first fall tournament at the three-day Stony Brook Classic in Long Island, N.Y.

Eight teams will compete at the tournament, including Army, Long Island University, Marist, Southern Miss, Toledo, UAB and Stony Brook.

Today’s action gets underway at noon and will feature doubles play, with Auburn set to meet Long Island University, Army, Stony Brook and Southern Miss. Singles will take to the court on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. facing Toledo.

Equestrian opens with Fresno State
Looking to defend its 2008 Hunt Seat national championship, the Auburn equestrian team opens their fall season against Fresno State today at 3 p.m. at the Auburn Equestrian
Center.

Admission is free.

“Fresno State is a very tough team,” said Auburn head coach Greg Williams. “We played them really close out in California last season. I hope to have more of an advantage being at home and having the home horse advantage. I look for them to come in pretty strong. We have four juniors riding on the Western side and a couple of seniors on the Hunt Seat side, and we have freshman competing in both. It’s going to be exciting.”

The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs last year in Fresno by virtue of a tiebreaker with a 1,037-947 raw score after tying, 8-8.

Riding for the Tigers in Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat are Annie Boheler, Katie Breedlove, Ali Loprete, Maggie McAlary and Rebecca Rifkin with Sara Netherton on exhibition and Elise Fraza as the alternate. Riding in Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences are Jessica Braswell, Elise Fraza, Dottie Grubb, Jenny Reinhart and Anna Schierholz with Liza Luker on exhibition and Ali Loprete as the alternate.

Riding for the Tigers in Western Horsemanship are Amy Bohan, Mary Casey, Bailey Dymond, Jessica Jones and Kylie Miller with Lauren Rooney on exhibition and Sarah Whitaker as the alternate. Riding in Western Reining are Ashton Fairey, Kelsey George, Lyndsey Jordan, Paige Monfore and Kim Pope with Rebecca Simmons as the alternate.

Starting this season, there will be a special guest that will ride a horse to kick off each home meet. This week’s guest will be Auburn women’s basketball head coach Nell Fortner.

The equestrian team will be honored prior to kickoff before Saturday’s football game against LSU. There will be a presentation on the field honoring the team for their 2008 Hunt Seat national championship.