Arkansas blocks Georgia attack

Jump to Georgia box score ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Arkansas recorded 23.0 blocks behind career record days from several players in a thrilling five-game win at Georgia Sunday. Arkansas improved to 14-8 overall and 7-3 in the Southeastern Conference with the 26-30, 30-25, 30-27, 17-30, 15-12 win over Georgia (7-12, 2-7 SEC) in a big victory in Athens. “It’s a win on the road and we’ll take it,” said head coach Chris Poole. “Georgia is a very good team that has not played as well as they had hoped this year. I thought Georgia played very well today and we need to regroup this week and get ready for Alabama. This weekend will be key for the SEC Western Division title race.” “I’m proud of the block. Right now, that is something we have to live by. It was good to see us step back up after not blocking well Friday and end with a very good day today.” The Lady’Backs’ 23.0 team blocks was just shy of the school record 24.0 set against Mississippi State in 1999 paced by a career-best 14 from senior Karla Crose. Arkansas had five players in double-digit kills with junior Kele Brewer recording a season-bet 13. Sophomore Christina Lawrence added 12 while Crose and Denitza Koleva had 11 each. Sophomore Jessica Dorrell rounded out the double-figure totals with 10 for Arkansas. Almost lost in the excitement was Koleva’s 1,000th career kill, a put down that came in game one giving the Lady’Backs their 19th point. The Sofia, Bulgaria, native becomes the 10th player in school history to reach the 1,000-kill plateau. “It’s great to have Denny accomplish that this year and she’s only a junior,” said Poole. “She joins a group of very talented volleyball players at the University of Arkansas.” Arkansas had its hands full with the hard-hitting Bulldogs in a venue that has never favored the Lady’Backs. Georgia hit just .209 for the match but out-hit Arkansas .455 to .400 in game one in a convincing win. The Bulldogs were led by Julia Petruschke and Alexandra Oquendo with 24 kills each as Petruschke hit nearly .800 in the first game alone. The Lady’Backs seemed to settle in for the second and third games out-playing Georgia thanks to the big Arkansas block. But the block and any offense the Lady’Backs may have generated, left the building in game four as the Bulldogs dominated play on the court. Georgia hit .356 in the game with 18 kills and just two errors as the Lady’Backs couldn’t find a spark. Always thrilling game five saw the Lady’Backs pull ahead early, but Georgia’s 4-0 run gave them the 8-6 lead as the teams changed benches at the half-way point. Another quick Georgia point seemed to put the match out of reach but Arkansas had other plans. A kill from Lawrence sparked the Lady’Backs and quieted the Georgia gym. The booming shot led to a Georgia hitting error and the Lady’Backs were back within one. That deficit seemed easier to overcome and Arkansas stayed in the game emotionally tying the contest at 10 on a kill from Koleva. A block from Lawrence and Allison gave Arkansas the led and prompted a Georgia timeout. The break wasn’t enough to stop Arkansas’ momentum, however, as the Lady’Backs rolled to the 15-12 win. Arkansas returns to SEC action at home hosting Alabama in the first of three home matches Friday, Oct. 28. Celebrate Halloween with Arkansas Sunday, Oct. 30, when the Lady’Backs host Auburn, followed by a non-conference match with Oral Roberts Nov. 1. For tickets and more information about Arkansas volleyball, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.