Lady'Backs travel to Kentucky for Friday match

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas volleyball team notched a big Southeastern Conference Western Division win over LSU Wednesday and hopes to ride the high into Kentucky as league action continues Friday. The Lady’Backs enter the weekend with a 4-1 SEC mark and are 11-5 overall while a much-improved Kentucky team comes in 9-5 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. "The SEC as a whole is the strongest, top-to-bottom, that it’s ever been," said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. "We are going to have to be sharp in all of our matches but especially on the road. Kentucky is playing well right now but we also know we have a talented team. If we can make the most of every opportunity we should come out with the desired results." The Lady Razorbacks are coming off back-to-back big block matches throwing up 19.0 in a five-game win at Alabama on Sunday followed by 20.0 in the four-game victory over the Tigers Wednesday. Arkansas leads the SEC in blocking and bettered their numbers Wednesday averaging 3.31 blocks per game in all matches and 3.60 in SEC matches. Junior Amy Allison is leading the Arkansas defense. The Jenks, Okla., native notched a career-best 14 blocks at Alabama and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors Monday. She tallied 13 blocks against LSU as she continues to play well. Allison is joined by senior Karla Crose who has quietly put up big numbers as well. The duo have helped Arkansas to a 15th place ranking in the nation with Allison ranking fourth as an individual. The defense of Arkansas isn’t just about the block, however. Libero Ashley Miller is in the midst of a solid season for Arkansas leading the team with 276 digs and a 4.45 dig per game average. Miller was one of the keys LSU coach Fran Flory commented on after her team lost to the Lady’Backs noting that Arkansas blocks well but even when the block fails Miller is there with a dig. The Lady’Backs enjoy a rare Sunday off from competition but return to action hosting St. Louis in a non-conference battle Tuesday in Barnhill. It is the first of three consecutive home matches for Arkansas. The Lady’Backs match at Kentucky will air live in the Fayetteville area on KXUA, 88.3 FM and on LADYBACKS.COM.