Arkansas volleyball hosts No. 24 LSU Sunday

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas volleyball team is looking to regroup Sunday as Southeastern Conference action continues with No. 24 LSU in Barnhill Arena. Arkansas (6-5, 0-1 SEC) has lost its last four matches including a three-game setback to Ole Miss to open SEC play Friday. The Lady’Backs face an uphill battle with nationally-ranked LSU (9-1, 1-0 SEC) who leads the league in kills, hitting percentage and digs heading into the match. "We’ve been disappointed in our play these last two weeks," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "We knew we’d have some challenges with a young team. We just have to try and refocus and eliminate the unforced errors." The Lady’Backs have been paced by senior Jessica Dorrell, junior Christina Lawrence and sophomore Kristin Seaton through the first 11 matches of the season. Dorrell leads the team in kills and kills per game and has been one of the emotional leaders on the floor. Lawrence is second followed by Seaton as the only three players with more than 100 kills. Several newcomers have played well for the Lady’Backs in the early part of the season. Freshman middle Sarah Freudenrich leads the team with 1.32 blocks per game and freshman Heather Royal is often one of the go-to players on the outside. But Arkansas has struggled with consistency throughout the year and unforced errors have been the difference in the Lady’Backs’ losses. The Tigers enter the weekend well-rested after a mid-week match at Ole Miss in which LSU handed the Lady Rebels a three-game loss. The Tigers are paced by Lauren DeGirolamo hitting .359 with 112 kills and 3.20 kpg mark. She leads the team with 53 blocks and 1.51 bpg average and is one of two players averaging more than a block per game. Kyna Washington leads the offense with team-best 138 kills and 4.06 kpg mark. She is hitting .226. Elena Martinez, the team’s libero, leads LSU with 200 digs and 5.71 dpg average. LSU opened the year with a six-match win streak and have won their last three. The lone loss is to Iowa State. LSU has won the last three meetings with Arkansas. The Lady Razorbacks hit the road for back-to-back SEC road weekends traveling to Mississippi State and Alabama Sept. 21 and 23, followed by trips to Kentucky and Tennessee as September closes. Arkansas returns to Fayetteville Oct. 5 hosting Georgia and Oct. 7 when they welcome Auburn. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, or for tickets, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.