Arkansas dominates ORU in three-game win

Jump to ORU box score FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas dominated play on both sides of the ball in a three-game non-conference win over Oral Roberts in Barnhill Arena Tuesday. The 30-22, 30-18, 30-22 win improves Arkansas to 17-8 overall while the Lady’Backs remain 9-3 in the Southeastern Conference while ORU fell to 17-9 overall and 9-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference. “This was one of our most complete matches of the year,” said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. “We really expected a close match with ORU. Historically, it’s been a good match-up but we really played well tonight and took them out of the match early.” Statistically speaking, Arkansas had an average game one hitting just .179 with four kills from Christina Lawrence and three each from Denitza Koleva, Amy Allison and Karla Crose. But the steady, balanced play of the Lady’Backs took ORU out of their game as the Golden Eagles hit negative .026 with 10 kills and 11 hitting errors in the frame. “ORU seemed a bit out of synch,” said Poole. “We were able to take advantage of their mistakes and, while we weren’t perfect, we were able to get the lead and finish the game.” There was little flash in the opening stanza with Arkansas grabbing a 5-1 lead that was never in jeopardy. ORU came within a point, trailing 15-14, but a kill from Lawrence extended the Lady’Back lead and the Golden Eagles never threatened again. The second game featured a different start to the action with ORU taking the lead up 3-1 but Arkansas rallied never allowing the visitor too much of an advantage. The Lady’Backs chipped away at the ORU lead tying the game at four on a kill from Crose and then along came the block. In fact, four blocks along with a couple kills and an ORU hitting error as the Lady’Backs sprinted out to an 11-4 lead. Arkansas finished game two with 17 kills and a .314 hitting percentage as ORU struggled to catch a break again hitting negative in the frame. The Lady’Backs again spotted ORU a bit of an early lead in game three but roared back to tie the contest at eight before taking the lead for good. Arkansas hit .302 in the final game while ORU improved to a .125 mark, hitting on the plus side for the first time all night. Koleva emerged as Arkansas’ kills leader finishing with 12 for the match. The junior hit .364 with 12 digs and three blocks in the win. Crose added 10 kills, hit .364 and had eight blocks in a solid all-around performance. The Lady’Backs hit .265 as a team holding ORU to a .008 mark for the match. In addition, Arkansas out-blocked the Golden Eagles 13.0 to 2.0 for the night. The Lady Razorbacks return to Southeastern Conference action traveling to Mississippi State and Ole Miss Friday and Sunday, respectively. Friday’s match at Mississippi State will air live in Fayetteville on KXUA, 88.3 FM and both contests can be heard on-line at LADYBACKS.COM.