Passing breaks down in Razorback loss

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COLUMBIA, SC – The University of Arkansas volleyball team dropped a Southeastern Conference match at South Carolina Friday falling in three sets to the Gamecocks. Arkansas (6-16, 3-9 SEC) struggled with serve-receive as Carolina (17-6, 8-5 SEC) recorded six service aces in the win. Razorback senior Christina Lawrence paced the team with nine kills hitting .474 for the match. Lawrence needs two more kills to reach her career 1,000th kill. “We just didn’t play with much energy tonight,” said Arkansas head coach Robert Pulliza. “We haven’t really put together a consistent effort for the entire match and it was more of the same tonight.” Arkansas hit .158 for the match with 27 kills and 34 digs allowing Carolina to hit .423 with 48 kills and 47 digs. The Razorbacks battled unforced errors at the service line with seven service errors and struggled to pass allowing the Gamecocks six aces and numerous opportunities as the passing broke down. Arkansas struggled hitting just .111 for the first set losing, 25-14. The Razorbacks opened strong through the first 10 points but a two-point, 11-9, lead by Carolina spelled doom for Arkansas as they were never able to recover. The second set saw the Razorbacks make a couple of mini-runs but Arkansas could not overcome the early deficit. Carolina recorded two service aces and Arkansas committed three service errors as the Razorbacks’ serve-receive continued to struggle. Arkansas seemed more balanced in the third set managing its biggest lead of the night at 8-5 but the Gamecocks stayed steady chipping away at the score. They tied the frame at nine and took the lead at 10 as the Razorbacks never regained the advantage. Arkansas continues SEC action at No. 11 Florida Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The match can be heard live on the internet at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.