Arkansas has several good performances in season opener

Jump to Georgia Tech boxscore FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas volleyball team saw several encouraging performances from a variety of players despite a 3-1 season-opening loss to Georgia Tech, 21-30, 23-30, 30-21, 25-30, at the Arkansas Clarion Inn Invitational in Barnhill Arena Friday. Arkansas (0-1) got a career-best 19 kills from senior Jessica Dorrell and a career-best 12 kills from sophomore Kristin Seaton who missed all of last season recovering from injuries suffered in an accident. In addition, first-year middles Karen Tang and Sarah Freudenrich played well. Tang, a junior transfer from Beijing, China, had four kills and a team-leading seven blocks in her first season of collegiate volleyball. Freudenrich, a freshman from Oklahoma, recorded nine kills, hit .500 and had four blocks as the Lady’Backs out-blocked Georgia Tech (2-0) 11-8. “I looked like an opening match,” lamented Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. “I’m really proud of some of the players who really stepped up. We were able to do some good things but we had way too many mistakes. Our middles did a good job. We’re certainly young on the outside too but Kristin’s performance was very encouraging.” Junior Christina Lawrence opened her season with 13 kills and five blocks rounding out the players in double figures. Junior Nicole Martin and sophomore Lindsay Scanlan shared the setting duties with Martin getting 25 assists and Scanlan 24 in the match. Arkansas struggled with unforced errors throughout the match committing 27 hitting errors and allowing Georgia Tech to record 12 service aces. Despite the negatives, Arkansas was just behind the Yellowjackets in hitting percentage, .224-.205, but won the battle blocking. “We need to be a little more consistent overall,” noted Poole. “It’s typical to make mistakes early in the season. Our passing was not as good as it needs to be but five of the six hitters had pretty good numbers. I’m encouraged by a lot of what I saw tonight but we still have a way to go.” Arkansas returns to the floor Saturday for a 12:00 p.m., match with Pittsburgh as tournament play continues. The Lady’Backs wrap up the weekend with a 7:00 p.m., match against Pepperdine. For more information about Arkansas, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.