The University of Alabama volleyball team travels this weekend to face Auburn on Friday and Georgia on Sunday.

After dropping its first two conference matches, the Crimson Tide is eager to get a strike in the win column. Head coach Ed Allen says his team must continue to focus on consistency if they want to win games.

“Number one, we’ve got to consistently execute skills, both offensively and defensively,” Allen said.

Allen said the team needed to do a better job of controlling what happens at the line—Alabama averages 1.2 errors per set in serve receptions. He said putting balls away with only one or two hits was key for his team.

He noted when the team plays at the level it’s capable of, the errors go away; the problem for Alabama is getting the team to perform at that level consistently.

The Tide should have no problem with intensity in its match against in-state rival Auburn.

“I mean, it’s Auburn,” he said. “Everybody gets up to play Auburn, I think. We’re in the same state, and it’s pretty clear to us who we think is the most talented team in this state on a regular basis, and we need to go in and prove that.”

Both teams have 6-6 records and are looking for their first SEC win heading into Friday night’s game. Although the teams have the same records statistically, Alabama has the better numbers, but not by much.

The biggest advantage will come from attacks. Alabama will continue to rely on junior outside hitter Kayla Fitterer, who averages almost two more kills per game than Auburn’s outside hitter, Kelly Fidero.

After Friday night’s matchup, Alabama will travel to Athens, Ga., to prepare for Sunday’s competition.

At press time, Georgia was in a three-game losing streak. Both Alabama and Georgia have Friday matchups, and the Bulldogs will also be looking for their first SEC victory. After starting strong, Georgia struggled through a tough nonconference schedule, only defeating Liberty, Florida A&M, Kennesaw State and Samford.

The Bulldogs have been a better home team, with a record of 3-1, as opposed to their 0-4 away record.

Alabama will have to clean up the mistakes to defeat Georgia. The Bulldogs have tight ball-handling skills, with only four errors on the season. Georgia’s disciplined play will be tough for the Tide, but Allen said his team has been focusing on improving their defensive skills in this week’s practices.

“We’re focusing on our ability to defend,” Allen said. “We also worked on first and second ball terminate.”