Lady'Backs travel to Alabama Sunday

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team returns to Southeastern Conference action at Alabama in a 1:30 p.m. match Sunday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Arkansas is coming off a big four-game road victory over Auburn Friday that saw the Lady Razorbacks improve to 9-5 overall and an important 2-1 in league play as they look to defend their SEC Western Division title against the Crimson Tide. That quest to defend the title has never been as challenging as it is this season with one of the most balanced group of conference teams the league has known. The Crimson Tide comes in with a 14-2 overall record and also improved to 2-1 with an upset win over No. 24 LSU in Tuscaloosa Friday. “We knew the conference was more balanced than it’s ever been,” said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. “Everyone is beating up on each other and our match at Alabama is going to be a dog fight. We’re going to have to play some of our best volleyball from the first serve to get out with a win.” Alabama has a statistical advantage in nearly every category heading into the weekend with the notable exception of blocking. Arkansas leads the Tide in blocking averaging 2.75 blocks per game to Alabama’s 1.86 and that will be a key to a Lady’Back win. Arkansas got a big match out of senior Karla Crose at Auburn on Friday. She, along with juniors Denitza Koleva, Kele Brewer, Amy Allison and sophomore Jessica Dorrell will be a balanced offensive threat for the Tide to try and defend. “We need to continue to play Arkansas volleyball,” said Poole. “We need to limit our mistakes and take advantage of everything they give us.” Arkansas returns home hosting No. 24 LSU Wednesday followed by a return to the road at Kentucky Friday. Arkansas’ match at Alabama will air live on KXUA, 88.3 FM and on the internet at LADYBACKS.COM.