Razorbacks host LSU Friday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team is in the home stretch of the 2008 season hosting three Southeastern Conference regular season matches beginning with LSU Friday at 7 p.m. The Razorbacks (7-20, 4-13 SEC) face the Tigers (15-9, 10-7 SEC) are coming off a weekend split defeating Mississippi State in five sets and falling at Alabama in four. Senior Christina Lawrence had a career-best 29 kills, hit .444 and had four digs and seven blocks in the win over State. She added a 19-kill, .421, two dig and three block performance against Alabama as the team moved its record to 7-20 overall and 4-13 in the SEC. The Razorbacks conclude the 2008 season hosting LSU Nov. 21, Georgia Nov. 23 and Ole Miss Nov. 29. “Christina has been great down the stretch,” said Arkansas head coach Robert Pulliza. “She has led a very young team through a tough season. “We’re excited to finish out our season at home,” Pulliza continued. “We have three big matches left and we want to go out on a strong note to build on for the future.” LSU comes to Fayetteville on the heels of a Friday night win at Auburn in five sets. Senior Kyna Washington tallied the 34th double-double of her career as she put away 14 kills and recorded 13 digs in the match. Tiger Brittnee Cooper leads the team hitting .335 with 256 kills and 2.84 kps. She also leads the team in blocking with 109 total blocks and 1.21 bps. Washington ranks first with 263 kills and a team-best 2.92 kps this year. Arkansas is 22-9 lifetime against LSU but the Razorbacks have lost the last six meetings to the Tigers. LSU defeated Arkansas in Baton Rouge, Oct. 5, of this year. The Razorbacks hit a solid .269 with 42 kills behind a 15-kill performance from senior Christina Lawrence. LSU, however, bested Arkansas hitting .410 with two players, Tania Schatow and Cooper in double-digits. The Tigers out-blocked (7-6) and out-dug (48-39) Arkansas in the match. The Razorbacks’ home stand continues with Georgia on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Arkansas hosts Ole Miss Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1:30 p.m. in the final match of the season. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.