Arkansas blocks Mississippi attack

Jump to Mississippi box FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas volleyball team used a balanced attack notching a four-game Southeastern Conference win over Mississippi in Barnhill Arena Friday. The 30-27, 30-20, 30-32, 30-17 win improves Arkansas to 4-8 overall and 2-1 in the SEC while Mississippi fell to 7-7 0-3 in the league. Arkansas posted a season-best 20.0 blocks in the win and was in double-digit blocks for the sixth time this year. The defensive effort was paced by a career-best 12 blocks from junior Karla Crose. The Lincoln, Neb., native tallied two solos and 10 block assists for the Lady’Backs. Arkansas also had a pair of players with double-digit kills led by senior Jennifer Haaser with 13. Sophomore Denitza Koleva added 12 kills and hit a season-best .346. Haaser added five blocks and Koleva three while freshman Jessica Dorrell had a career-best seven for Arkansas. Sophomore Amy Allison continued to play well with nine kills, a .450 hitting percentage and five blocks while freshman Ashley Miller led the team with 18 digs. Junior Iva Docekalova and freshman Amanda Eskridge shared setting duties with 26 and 16 assists, respectively. Arkansas was a little flat in the match and started slowly in game one. Mississippi was able to keep the score tight tying things at 23-all late in the frame. Crose answered the tie with a kill off the slide giving Arkansas an edge they would not surrender. The Lady’Backs picked up the energy in the second game opening a quick 8-2 lead and never looked back. Arkansas out-hit Ole Miss .286 to .133 in the second game and the outcome was never in doubt. The momentum did not carry over into the third game as the Lady Rebels scratched their way to a last-minute win. Arkansas tied the game at 30 but a Lady Rebel kill and an Arkansas hitting error handed Mississippi the victory. Arkansas reclaimed the momentum in the fourth frame again opening a large 12-2 lead and forcing the Lady Rebels to burn both timeouts early. The Lady’Backs didn’t post a high hitting percentage in the final game – just .125, but it bettered the Mississippi mark of negative .159. Jaclyn Toohey paced the Ole Miss attack with a match-best 16 kills. Lady Rebel Nikki Hill added 13 in the losing effort. The Lady’Backs continue SEC action Sunday hosting Mississippi State at 1:30 p.m. State enters the match with a 9-6 overall mark and is 2-1 in the SEC after a five-game win at Louisiana State Friday. For more information about Arkansas volleyball log on to www.ladybacks.com.