Razorback volleyball practices Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team held its first full team meeting under new head coach Robert Pulliza Friday in Barnhill Arena.The Razorbacks reported for the fall season Friday opening the year with a team meeting, paperwork and photos. The first practice is scheduled for Saturday morning.Pulliza begins a new era for Arkansas volleyball taking over the program as the Razorbacks celebrate 15 seasons of success in the Natural State. He is just the second coach in program history and Pulliza is entering the season as a head coach for the first time in his collegiate career.“The biggest difference is being the one who makes the final decisions,” he laughed. “We’re really lucky to have a great staff and honestly, it really hasn’t been that big of a change from any other preseason.”Pulliza may be just a bit modest. He took over the Arkansas program July 11 and since that time, has assembled a staff, added two players and made several recruiting trips all while moving to Northwest Arkansas.Pulliza’s schedule will begin to find a routine as the first practice gets underway Saturday. Saturday’s schedule begins at 8 a.m. with testing. The setters practice at 9:30 a.m. followed by hitters and setters at 10 a.m. The defensive specialists and liberos take the court at 11 a.m. and the entire team comes together from 3-6 p.m., as day one closes.The team continues preseason workouts until classes begin Monday, Aug. 25. Arkansas then settles into a routine for the semester that includes practice, weights and individual workouts.Arkansas’ season is quickly approaching. The Razorbacks open Aug. 29-30 at the Hilton Classic hosted by Colorado State. Arkansas’ first home match is Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m., when the Razorbacks host Tulsa.