Lawrence leads Arkansas

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas senior Christina Lawrence hit .360 with 10 kills and five digs to lead the Razorbacks in a valiant effort against 10th-ranked Florida in Southeastern Conference volleyball action in Barnhill Arena Sunday. Lawrence and the Razorbacks (4-8, 1-1 SEC) fell to Florida (9-1, 3-0 SEC) 19-25, 17-25, 21-25. Arkansas freshman Kelli Stipanovich contributed a team-best 11 kills and hit .292 with seven digs and two blocks in the match. “Christina hit .360 and had great numbers,” said Arkansas head coach Robert Pulliza. “So did Kelli. We did some good things as a team. The numbers don’t show it but we played some of our best technical volleyball today. We’re moving forward and looking forward to South Carolina Sunday.” Arkansas kept the action close in the first set but couldn’t overcome Florida’s .517 hitting efficiency to open the match. The Razorbacks and Gators played back-and-forth through the mid-point and finished the set with 11 ties and four lead changes. The Gators put together an eight-point run taking a 20-14 lead but Arkansas battled back after Pulliza burned both timeouts to stop the offense. Arkansas scratched back but couldn’t overcome the early deficit. Arkansas was statistically better in the second set hitting .244 with five kills from Lawrence but again the Gators were too much hitting .375 in the win. The Razorbacks mirrored the first set keeping the action close through the halfway point but Florida opened the gap around and never looked back. The Razorbacks struggled in the third set and never got the offense going as the Gators ran out a 9-3 advantage and Pulliza called both timeouts. Although the Razorbacks would go on to drop the set and the match, Arkansas put together a nice closing run that Pulliza hopes will carry over into Sunday’s match. Arkansas trailed 16-24 and the Gators had match point. Florida committed a service error followed by a block assist from Stipanovich and junior Kristin Seaton as Arkansas got the ball rolling. Another Florida hitting error made it 19-24 and Lawrence added a kill to pull within four. A Gator hitting error made it 24-21 and forced Florida to call a timeout. That was the stop the Gators needed as they finished the match with a kill to win. Arkansas continues SEC action at home hosting South Carolina Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The Gamecocks fell to 10-2 overall and 2-1 in the SEC after a four-set loss at Ole Miss Friday. For more information about Arkansas volleyball log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.