Arkansas volleyball travels to Georgia

ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Arkansas continues Southeastern Conference volleyball action at Georgia in a 1:00 p.m., match from Athens, Ga., Sunday. Arkansas picked up a much-needed three game win at South Carolina Friday and have won three in a row improving to 13-8 overall and 6-7 in league play. The Bulldogs fell to No. 10 LSU Friday in three games and are 6-17 overall and 2-11 in the SEC. “We’re 3-0 right now in this new season,” said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. “We’re approaching the second half of this SEC season as a whole new season and the team has really stepped up and embraced that approach.” Arkansas struggled to a 3-7 record through the first 10 matches of the SEC season but the Lady’Backs seemed to have turned a corner as they made a turn in the schedule. The Lady’Backs are not without adversity, however, and will most likely play Sunday’s match without the services of senior outside hitter Kele Brewer. Brewer was injured in a morning workout in South Carolina Friday and didn’t play against the Gamecocks. Several players stepped up in Brewer’s place most notably freshman Catherine Fowler. Fowler got the start recorded five kills, hit .667 and had three blocks against Carolina. Senior Denitza Koleva has posted 17 double-doubles for kills and digs in 21 matches this year adding to her numbers Friday with 19 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Christina Lawrence and senior Amy Allison both had eight kills Friday. “We have a lot of different weapons,” said Poole. “It’s been a matter of getting everyone to play at their best all together in one match and I still don’t think we’ve had that this year. Despite that fact, we have 13 wins and are playing better right now. I’d rather be coming together and be able to put together a run late in the year than to start the year.” Seventh-ranked Florida leads the SEC race with a 13-1 record in conference play. Tenth-ranked LSU is second overall at 11-2 followed by Alabama at 9-4. Tennessee, who was ranked for much of the year, is 7-6 followed by Kentucky and Arkansas who are 6-7. Three teams, Mississippi State, Mississippi and South Carolina are tied with 5-8 records while Auburn is 4-10 on the year. Georgia rounds out the standings with a 2-11 league record. The Lady Razorbacks return to Barnhill Arena hosting Auburn and No. 7 Florida Friday and Sunday, respectively. For more information about the matches or for tickets, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.