EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE volleyball Head Coach Leah Johnson said Sunday's matchup against Auburn was the test her team needed for early in the season.

"We are establishing our name, our level, and our mentality with whom we can compete," said Johnson. "We're testing ourselves for Ohio Valley Conference play. We showed a lot of self-respect, and we stayed true to our style of play. It favored us in set three."

The Cougars dropped match to visiting Auburn 25-13, 25-15, 25-23. SIUE, 0-3, held Auburn, 4-0, to its lowest hitting efficiency of the season (.140).

SIUE's defense picked up seven blocks against the Tigers, including five from Kelsey Augustine and two each from Kristen Torre, Hilary Trevino, and Taylor Held.

"Kelsey trusted herself and protected the net," said Johnson. "She's a great blocker. It only took one time for her to adjust and respond. We were proud of how she played."

Alicia Streetar, a freshman, led the Cougar offense for the second straight day. She finished with six kills. Torre added five. Johnson said the Cougars need to continue to get the ball to Torre on offense.

"I think today will help continue to instill the confidence that she should be taking swings. Every chance we can set her we should set her," Johnson said.

Auburn, which was coming off a tournament win in St. Louis that included a victory over No. 10 Nebraska, used a 10-3 run in the first set and a 14-4 run in the second set to push past the Cougars.

"I personally thought we played well in all three sets," said Johnson. "I know the score doesn't show that in sets one and two. We gave up two big runs in each set. Otherwise, they played for point for point. They (Auburn) had to earn their points."

SIUE was down by as many as eight points in the third set but made a solid run to close out the set. Auburn made nine of its 20 errors in the third set. Freshman Mallory Mangun kept the Cougars close late and served the final four points of the match for the Cougars.

"I have complete faith that we are a resilient team and that we are committed to fight every point, Johnson said. "We believe as a program and as a team that our reputation is built by each point and not by the final score."

SIUE libero Chelsea Colclasure led all players with 16 digs. Auburn collected 39 digs led by 12 from libero Sarah Wroblicky.

The Cougars next head to Omaha, Neb., for the Omaha Classic. SIUE plays Southern Utah and host Omaha next Friday as well as Bradley Saturday.