Allison Lawrence honored by SEC

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Arkansas volleyball players Amy Allison and Christina Lawrence were honored by the Southeastern Conference Thursday on the eve of the conference tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Jenks, Okla., native Allison earned SEC second-team honors while Lawrence, a redshirt freshman from Sullivan, Mo., was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team. "I am so proud of Amy and Christina for the recognition. It is certainly deserved," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "I think they would be the first to tell you that this season has been about us having great balance. I am also proud of what the other players have accomplished this season. Amy was recognized as one of the best middles in the SEC and was ranked high nationally all season in blocks per game. This was Christina’s first season of competitive volleyball at any level and she made huge strides all season. The SEC is getting better and better each season and it is amazing at the talent that is represented on the all-conference teams this season." Allison finished the SEC regular season hitting .254 in conference games and leading the league in blocking with 1.88 blocks per game and 113 total blocks. She was a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week this year and ranks third in the nation in overall blocking. In addition to her defense, Allison recorded 127 kills and averaged 2.12 kills per game in SEC matches. Allison was also selected to the SEC Volleyball Good Works Team earlier this week. This is her first selection to the all-conference team. Lawrence started and finished the season strongly for the Lady Razorbacks. The first-year volleyball player hit a team-leading .265 in conference play with 143 kills and a team-best 2.65 kills per game. Lawrence continues in a long line of standout freshman at Arkansas becoming the fifth Lady’Back to earn selection to the all-freshman team since its inception three years ago. The duo lead Arkansas into action Friday in the first round of the SEC Tournament in Birmingham, Ala. The Lady’Backs face Kentucky in a rematch of the final regular season match in Barnhill last Sunday. The winner of the Arkansas/Kentucky match moves on to the second round in the single-elimination tournament. All of Arkansas’ matches at the SEC Tournament will air live in Fayetteville on KXUA, 88.3 FM, and on the internet at LADYBACKS.COM.