Auburn upsets Arkansas on the Plains

Jump to Auburn box AUBURN, Ala. – University of Arkansas senior Denitza Koleva posted a season-best 21 kills and a career-best 22 digs but couldn’t lift the Lady Razorbacks to the Southeastern Conference win at Auburn Sunday. Auburn improved to 12-9 overall and 4-6 in the SEC while Arkansas falls to 10-8 and 3-7 in the league with the 30-17, 28-30, 32-34, 30-24, 15-17 loss. It is just the second win in program history for the Tigers over Arkansas and the first since the 1996 season. Koleva’s solid performance was match-long as she hit nearly .400 in the first game as the Lady’Backs dominated the Tigers. But the second game began with six consecutive Auburn service aces followed by an Arkansas ball handling error as the Tigers opened a 7-0 lead to start the frame. The Lady’Backs battled back with a solid run in which they chipped away at the lead tying the game at 14. The Lady’Backs took the lead but never really controlled the momentum letting the Tigers play close until the frame was again tied at 27. A big block followed by an Arkansas ball handling error gave Auburn a lead they would not surrender and the match was tied heading into the locker room. The third game favored Arkansas from the first serve and the Lady’Backs quickly got out to game point, 29-22, seeming to have the game firmly in their hands. But the Tigers had other plans and began chipping away at the lead with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 29. A side-out battle followed and it was the Tigers who came out with the 34-32 win. Arkansas was again better in the fourth game returning to their game one energy. The Lady’Backs rebounded with a .267 hitting percentage out-hitting Auburn in the game forcing a fifth game Sunday. The Lady’Backs seemed to have the momentum on their side in the final game but Auburn quickly scratched its way back into the game taking an 8-6 lead as the team’s changed sides at the halfway point. Arkansas trailed by as many as four but stayed focused and tied the game at 14. The sea-saw battle followed with a kill from senior Kele Brewer tying the game for the final time at 15. Arkansas committed back-to-back hitting errors on aggressive plays but lost the game. Arkansas returns home hosting No. 18 Tennessee Friday, Oct. 20 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m. match with Kentucky Sunday. Fans will receive an Arkansas Open MRI cup and free drink coupon at the door. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.