Razorbacks Drop Four-Set Decision to LSU
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Freshman Elizabeth Pamphile matched her career high with 12 kills while Rachel Rippee and Pilar Victoria each registered double-double efforts but the University of Arkansas volleyball team dropped a four-set decision to LSU Friday night at Barnhill Arena. The Razorbacks are now 16-8 overall with a 6-6 mark in SEC play and turn their attention to Sunday’s home match against Texas A&M.
The weekend finale between the Razorbacks and Aggies is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CT) start at Barnhill Arena. It will be the team’s second match of the season against Texas A&M with Arkansas picking up a straight-set road win (Oct. 20) in College Station. Tickets are $5 for adults while UA students—with valid ID—and fans 17 years and younger receive free admission.
FINAL
LSU 3, Arkansas 1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-23, 26-24) | Box Score
Attendance: 1,216 | Time: 2:06
Barnhill Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
#RazorStats
- Leaders vs LSU
- Kills: Pilar Victoria – 20
- Digs: Krista Kolbinskie – 15
- Blocks: Kelly O’Brien – 5.0 (1-4)
- Double-Doubles vs LSU
- Rachel Rippee – 41 assists, 11 digs
- Pilar Victoria – 20 kills, 11 digs
Coupled with her 12 kills, Pamphile registered a .409 hitting efficiency against LSU to go along with four digs and three total blocks. She tied her career best twice established previously against Yale (Sept. 8) and Tennessee (Sept. 20). With Friday’s outing, Pamphile is hitting .449 in Arkansas’ last three matches.
Victoria posted her 13th double-double of the season with 20 kills and 11 digs, marking her 14th match of the season with at least 20 kills. The NCAA leader in kills and points also contributed with three total blocks and two service aces. Rippee had 41 assists and 11 digs Friday night to complete her ninth double-double of the season. Freshman Hailey Dirrigl rounded out the Razorbacks’ double-figures trio with 12 kills in the match.
Defensively, Krista Kolbinskie picked up a team-leading 15 digs while junior libero Okiana Valle added 14 digs and a season-high eight assists. Kelly O’Brien was the Razorbacks’ top performer at the net with five total blocks. It was her eighth match of the season with five or more blocks.
Friday’s match was played in front of 1,216 fans, a figured that included nearly 30 former Arkansas letter winners as part of alumni weekend. The attendance marked the fifth time the Razorbacks played in front of 1,000 or more fans at Barnhill and the fourth with at least 1,200 in the seats.
The Razorbacks jumped out to the 1-0 match lead before LSU (17-6, 8-4 SEC) rallied for the four-set victory. After dropping the third set and trailing 2-1 overall, Arkansas won the first three points of the fourth frame but the teams became embroiled in a back-and-fourth set that featured 12 ties. The Tigers led 19-16 but Arkansas rattled off seven of the next 10 to go ahead 23-22 on a Victoria ace.
LSU called a timeout after the service winner and pulled even at 23-all on the next point. The Razorbacks scored next and had set point on a kill by Reagan Robison. True to the see-saw nature of the set, the visitors saved the set point and went ahead 25-24 to force Arkansas into a timeout. On match point, LSU challenged a no-touch call and went on to win the match when the call was reversed.
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