Arkansas suffers loss at Georgia

Jump to Georgia box score ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Arkansas volleyball team battled unforced errors and suffered a five-game Southeastern Conference loss at Georgia in Athens, Ga., Friday. The 20-30, 30-23, 25-30, 30-28, 8-15 loss drops the Lady Razorbacks to 7-9 overall and 5-2 in the SEC while the Bulldogs improved to 11-5 overall and 4-3 in the league. Senior Jennifer Hasser and sophomore Kele Brewer elevated their play with Haaser leading the team with 18 kills, a .441 hitting percentage, nine digs and 11 blocks. Brewer chipped in with 17 kills, hit .333 and have five digs. Arkansas out-blocked the Bulldogs 17 to 12 but 41 unforced errors proved to be the difference in the match. The match started slowly for Arkansas with the Lady’Backs flat from the opening serve as they dropped the first game. In was a different Lady’Back team in the second frame as Arkansas exploded, hitting .342 behind 18 kills but again the Arkansas offense stalled in the third game as Georgia controlled the pace winning the frame. Arkansas showed a bit of fight in the fourth game rallying from as much as a five point deficit to tie the game at 25-all. The Lady’Backs still struggled defensively as the Bulldogs retook the lead with a kill from Simona Speed. Speed finished with 14 in the match. Georgia edged out to a two-point, 27-25 lead but Haaser quickly made up the ground with a kill down the line pulling Arkansas within one. Georgia answered with a kill of its own again opening a two-point margin. The Fort Smith, Ark., senior again answered the call with a roll shot as Haaser recorded kill number15. A Georgia hitting error finally evened the score at 28 and prompted a Bulldog timeout but the break only inspired the Lady’Backs as Haaser teamed with freshman Jessica Dorrell for a block giving Arkansas its first lead of the game. An ace from freshman Ashley Miller sealed the win. Arkansas seemed to have the momentum heading into the final frame but it was Georgia who came out of the gates on fire opening an 8-4 lead before the teams changed benches at the halfway mark. The Lady’Backs were unable to rebound from the early-game deficit as Georgia cruised to the 15-8 final frame win out-hitting Arkansas .412 to .067 in the last game. Arkansas’ SEC Eastern Division swing continues Sunday when the Lady’Backs travel to No. 10 Florida in Gainesville. The match airs live in the Fayetteville area on KXUA, 88.3 FM and is televised live by Sunshine Network beginning at 1:00 p.m., Central. Arkansas returns home hosting Kentucky Friday, Oct. 22, at 7:00 p.m. in Barnhill Arena. For more information and tickets please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to www.ladybacks.com.