Brewer leads dramatic comeback

Jump to Valparaiso box FAYETTEVILLE – Sophomore Kele Brewer posted a match-best 19 kills and senior Jennifer Haaser added a triple double leading the University of Arkansas to a thrilling five-game come-from-behind win over Valparaiso in Barnhill Arena Sunday. Arkansas improved to 9-10 overall and remained 6-3 in the Southeastern Conference while Mid-Continent Conference powerhouse Valparaiso fell to 19-4 overall in the 30-19, 26-30, 25-30, 32-30, 15-10 win. "We came out on fire in the first game but I’m just not sure what happens between games one and two," said a relieved Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "We’ve had two matches in a row that I have to say I’m really proud of the team and the way they have fought to come back." For the second time in as many matches Arkansas opened the contest winning the first game but then struggled dropping games two and three. Brewer was solid throughout the match hitting .326 with one assist, five digs and two blocks for Arkansas. Sophomore Denitza Koleva also had a standout match recording 17 kills, hitting .240 and collecting six blocks for Arkansas.Haaser was also in double-digit kills with 16. The Fort Smith, Ark., native hit .262 with three assists, two service aces, 12 digs and 11 blocks in a rare triple-double for the Lady’Backs. Haaser’s 11 blocks ties her with three other players who have also tallied that many in a five-game match and is just shy of the school record of 15 held by Libby Windell and set in 1999. The afternoon’s drama came late in the fourth frame after Arkansas managed to climb back into the game tying the score at 25. A point-for-point battle ensued with neither team able to take a lasting lead. The Crusaders took a one-point lead, 29-28, but Koleva hammered the ball straight down through the block to knot the score at 29. Sophomore Amy Allison stepped up with one of her four kills giving Arkansas the lead but the Crusaders answered with a kill from Jessie Fox. Fox finished the match with 14. The Lady’Backs didn’t seem rattled and Brewer laced a sharp ball deep into the corner of the opposition’s court stealing the lead back. Junior Karla Crose shut the door with an ace keeping Arkansas’ chances for a while alive. The fifth frame also provided fans a lot of drama. Arkansas opened a 4-1 lead stretching that to 6-2 before Valparaiso called the frame’s first timeout. The Lady’Backs maintained the lead, 8-4, as the team’s changed benches at the halfway mark and opened the margin to five points, 10-5, as the Crusaders called their final timeout. It was the visitor’s turn to make a run and they came within three, 10-7, but Arkansas’ early game lead was enough for the win. Arkansas dominated game one hitting .406 behind five kills and a .625 hitting percentage from Brewer. The Lady’Backs out-blocked the Crusaders 6 to 1 and out-dug their opponent 15 to 7 in the win. The Crusaders opened the match scoring the first point when Arkansas Haaser was whistled for being in the net. Arkansas tied the match on a Crusader serving error and they took the lead on a kill from Allison. It was a lead the Lady’Backs would never surrender as they cruised to the 11-point win. Arkansas’ offense stalled in the second game as the Lady’Backs hit just .149 with nine hitting errors. Five service errors also proved costly in the close game as the Crusaders were able to steal one from Arkansas. The Lady’Backs led the game until the 25-point mark when Valparaiso took a lead on a kill from Fox. Arkansas could never catch up committing three hitting errors late in the frame. The Lady’Backs never really regained the energy in the third game as the Crusaders took the lead at the 10-point mark and never looked back. Arkansas suffered from 16 unforced errors in the frame and hit just .125 in game three. Arkansas returns to SEC action Tuesday traveling to Western Division foe Louisiana State for a 7:00 p.m., match. The Lady’Backs host Alabama Friday, Oct. 29, at 7:00 p.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m. contest with Auburn Sunday. For more information and tickets please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to www.ladybacks.com.