Lady'Back volleyball survives first practice

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas volleyball team survived the first day of fall practice Wednesday in Barnhill Arena. The Lady Razorbacks begin practice the same week as previous seasons but a jump-start to the academic calendar has classes beginning a week earlier this year. That means Arkansas head coach Chris Poole and his staff have a week less of two-a-day practices before beginning competition the last week of August. "Three months is a long break," said Poole, referring to the time off since the last workout in the spring. "We came back physically in really good shape but our timing is a bit off. It’s definitely going to take some time to get out setters and hitters together on the same page. We have a couple new setters and it takes time to find that chemistry with the team. That’ll be the biggest challenge early." Sophomore Caira Daugherty and freshmen Lindsay Scanlan and Ivana Suput will all look to run the offense as the setter this year. Daugherty has some setting experience at the collegiate level but was primarily used as a defensive specialist last year. Arkansas also returns the leadership of three seniors in Amy Allison, Kele Brewer and Denitza Koleva. Allison finished the year in the top five in the country for blocking and both Brewer and Koleva have more than 1,000 career kills with the Lady’Backs. Spirits were good despite the loss of returner Christina Lawrence who will be sidelined three weeks after suffering a medial meniscus tear in her left knee before workouts began. "You never like to start practice without players but we’re thankful her injury is nothing more serious," said Poole. The Lady Razorbacks will make a mad dash through practice before hosing an Alumni Match Saturday, Aug. 19, in Barnhill Arena. The event is free and begins at 1:30 p.m. Arkansas begins the regular season Aug. 25, at the Oklahoma Tournament. For more information about Arkansas volleyball or for tickets, please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.