Dorrell leads Arkansas to four-game win

Jump to Kentuckybox score TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Arkansas sophomore Jessica Dorrell tied her career with 15 kills leading the Lady Razorbacks to a first-round win over Kentucky at the 2005 Southeastern Conference Volleyball Tournament in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Friday. Dorrell’s 15 kills and team-leading .522 hitting percentage lifted Arkansas, 20-10 overall, to the 22-30, 30-19, 30-26, 30-28, win eliminating Kentucky (17-10) from the tournament. The victory also avenges two regular season losses suffered at the hands of the Wildcats. Arkansas faces the winner of the No. 4 Florida/Georgia match Saturday. “Jessica played very well,” said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. “She’s had a bit of an up-and-down season and she really stepped up today. I hope she can keep it rolling.” Junior Kele Brewer also stepped up for Arkansas tying her season-best with 16 kills. The Lady’Backs recorded 14.0 team blocks behind the efforts of junior Amy Allison who had three solos and five assists. Dorrell also had five block assists for Arkansas. “We were much more consistent in this match with our serving than we have been,” said Poole. “We also did a great job of keeping the offense balanced and I think that was the difference. I’m glad to get the win.” Much of the matches’ drama came in the fourth game in the back-and-fourth battle to decide the winner. Kentucky took the lead from the opening serve forcing Arkansas to chase them early. The Lady’Backs obliged playing catch-up for the first eight points. The teams worked themselves to an eight-all tie then Arkansas took a lead going up 15-11. The Wildcats answered with what looked to be an unstoppable 7-0 run retaking the lead 18-15, before Allison got a kill to stop the Kentucky scoring. The teams traded points and were again tied at 20, 21, 23, 25 and finally at 26. Denitza Koleva got a kill of the block of Kentucky to tie the contest at 26. Dorrell used a crafty play pushing an over-passed ball to the deep corner and catching the Wildcat defense cheating up towards the net. The momentum from that kill changed the shape of the game as Kentucky next had a hitting error giving Arkansas a two-point 28-26, lead. Kentucky’s leading hitter, Danielle Wallace, got a kill off an Arkansas attempted block but Dorrell answered. Arkansas had match point and senior middle Karla Crose put the match in the books with the final kill. Arkansas’ match with Kentucky was the first of the day with three others to follow. For more information about Arkansas volleyball or the SEC Tournament, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.