Defensive High Marks Not Enough at Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Despite a season-high 29 digs from sophomore libero Okiana Valle and double-double outings from Danielle Harbin and Rachel Rippee, the University of Arkansas volleyball team dropped a four-set road decision to Alabama Sunday afternoon. The Razorbacks had four players finish the match with 10 or more digs on their way to 81 digs, an SEC-season high.
Arkansas returns to its home floor for two matches next week, beginning with Wednesday’s contest against No. 18 Kentucky. First serve of the midweek matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) at Barnhill Arena. The match will also be televised on the SEC Network, the Razorbacks’ fourth-consecutive television appearance.
FINAL
Alabama 3, Arkansas 1 (22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-12) | Box Score
Attendance: 618 | Time: 1:53
Foster Auditorium (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
#RazorStats
Stat Leaders vs. Alabama
o Kills: Danielle Harbin – 19 (12th match with 15 or more kills this season)
o Digs: Okiana Valle – 29 (season high)
o Blocks: Danielle Harbin (1-3), Breana Jones (0-4) – 4.0
Double-Doubles
o Danielle Harbin – 19 kills, 10 digs
o Rachel Rippee – 31 assists, 11 digs
Playing back in her home state, Harbin registered a match-high 19 kills and added 10 digs to complete her fourth double-double of the year. The Mobile, Alabama, native now has 15 or more kills in 12 matches during her senior season. Rippee tallied her team-leading sixth double-double with 31 assists and 11 digs against the Crimson Tide. Adrien Wohlschlaeger contributed to the floor defense with 14 digs which ties her career high.
Valle’s outing marked her sixth match of the season with 20 or more digs, four of which have some against SEC competition. With her first dig of the third set, she became the 17th player in program history to reach 800 career digs. Arkansas’ 81 digs were just two off its season high of 83 established in a five-set match at No. 4 Kansas during the non-conference season.
Breana Jones and Barbara Dapic each had seven kills in the match with Jones reaching 500 career kills by terminating an overpassed ball in the second set. The Peachtree City, Georgia, native is the third Razorback to reach that milestone this season along with Dapic and Harbin. Jones has seven or more kills in nine of 12 conference matches including six straight.
Arkansas (5-19, 3-9 SEC) jumped out to an early 5-2 lead in the first set after an ace from Jones. The Razorbacks maintained their advantage and led 15-13 at the media timeout behind a tandem block by Harbin and Jusino. The score was tied 18-all when Arkansas rattled off four in a row, capping the mini run with another block by Jones and Reagan Robinson. Alabama (16-10, 5-8 SEC) saved two set points but on the team’s third, Harbin clinched the opener with a shot down the line.
However, the Crimson Tide rallied to take the next three sets to post the win on their home floor. With the match tied at one set each, the third frame followed a similar structure to the opener. Arkansas led 5-2 early and the score was ultimately tied at 18-all but it was Alabama that responded with four of the next five to take a three-point lead on its way to the set win. In the fourth set, the home team used a strong closing run—won 15 of last 20 points—to seal the victory.
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