Lady'Backs return to court in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team returns to the court Friday and Saturday at the Green Mills Restaurant Classic in Wichita, Kan. Arkansas (1-2) faces Michigan State and No. 6 Washington on Friday followed by a single match against the host Shockers Saturday. Two of the three opponents opened the year with perfect 3-0 starts. The Spartans are hitting .347 as a team paced by a .643 hitting efficiency from senior Maggie Griffin. Washington is led by senior all-American Sanja Tomasevic who is averaging 5.67 kills per game and the Huskies won all three of their matches in straight sets. The Shockers returned all six starters from a year ago and defeated Texas Tech this year. They have losses to No. 16 Santa Barbara and No. 15 Kansas State. Arkansas enters the weekend after a good start to the season. The Lady’Backs suffered a pair of near-miss losses to No. 22 Santa Clara in five and Kansas who is getting votes in the national poll. Arkansas upset nationally recognized Pacific in California. This week’s schedule is equally as challenging with the Spartans and Shockers both getting votes in the national poll and the Huskies who moved up to number six this week. “We spent this week working on some of the weaknesses we noticed on the first weekend,” said head coach Chris Poole. “We’ve got a tough weekend coming up and all three of our opponents are playing with a lot of confidence but so are we and I think we can challenge everyone in the field. I’m very encouraged by the fact that our team is playing hard. I’d like to be better than 1-2 but at the same time I’m pleased with the intensity.” The Lady’Backs have seen several players lead the team at different points in the young season. Lone senior Jennifer Haaser ranks among the teams leaders in kills and blocks and she’s gotten help from junior Karla Crose, sophomore Denitza Koleva and freshman Jessica Dorrell. Sophomore Amy Allison has improved on her single-match numbers in two of the three matches this year and junior setter Iva Docekalova has also played well. “We’re balanced this year,” agreed Poole. “We don’t necessarily have that one ‘go-to’ player but instead have several options on any given play.” The schedule continues to challenge the young Lady’Backs as the season progresses. Arkansas returns from Kansas hosting the C&C Services Invitational Sept. 17-18, followed by No. 4 Florida and Georgia the following weekend as they begin the longest home stand of the year. For more information and tickets to Lady’Back volleyball please call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to www.ladybacks.com.