Arkansas blocks South Carolina in SEC win

Jump to South Carolina box score FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas recorded 20 total blocks downing South Carolina in four games in Southeastern Conference volleyball action in Barnhill Arena Sunday. The 30-23, 30-23, 28-30, 30-24 win improves the Lady’Backs to 9-3 on the year and evens Arkansas’ SEC record to 2-2 while Carolina falls to 9-6 and 2-2 in the SEC. Freshman Destiny Clark paced the blocking effort with a career-best 12 blocks while senior Amy Allison added eight and sophomore Christina Lawrence had seven. The 20 team total blocks ranks tied for fifth all-time in school history while Clark’s total ties for seventh. “The block can do a lot of things,” said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. “It energizes us and completely demoralizes your opponent. It’s one of the most embarrassing things that can happen to our hitters and a good block can completely change the momentum.” A lot of other things went right for Arkansas Sunday as well. The Lady’Backs out-hit South Carolina, .222-.091 and had three players in double-figure kills led by 18 from senior Denitza Koleva. Koleva hit .333 with a team-leading 15 digs for Arkansas. Allison added 11 kills and Lawrence had 10 in the Lady’Back win. “I’m disappointed in the let down in the third game,” said Poole. “We’ve been working on that. At times we played very well and at times we let down. We do have several hitters, however, to pick up the slack and I thought we did a good job of that today.” Arkansas dominated the first two games hitting .361 in the first and holding Carolina to a negative hitting percentage in the second game. The third game was much closer from the first serve as Carolina regrouped after the 10-minute break between games. The Gamecocks made some adjustments after losing hitter Iris Santos to injury in the first game and hit a stout .233 with 18 kills in the frame. “South Carolina did a nice job of adjusting in the third game,” said Poole, “and we didn’t respond. We had some chances late in the game but just couldn’t finish.” Arkansas tied the game at 25 and again at 26 but the Gamecocks just chipped away until winning by two, 30-28. The Lady’Backs were re-focused in the fourth game early but again allowed Carolina a run as the Gamecocks kept the score close. Poole burned his final timeout, leading 18-17, and put the game in the hands of the players on the court, Arkansas got a big kill from Koleva to spark the offense. The kill rallied the crowd of 697 fans and they came to their feet as Arkansas methodically opened the lead holding on for the win. Southeastern Conference action continues at home for Arkansas next week as the Lady’Backs host Mississipi State Friday and Ole Miss Sunday. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.