Santos named SEC Freshman of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE – For the second time this season, Razorback setter Raymariely Santos has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, as announced by the league office Monday afternoon. This marks her third overall weekly honor as she also earned top defensive accolades earlier this season.

"I’m really excited for Raymariely," head coach Robert Pulliza said. "Her work ethic and determination to become a great player is really playing off for her, individually, and for us as a team. She has really put in a tremendous freshman season for us."

In her last two matches, Santos averaged 10.25 assists per set as Arkansas earned a split of its weekend matches against No. 1 Florida and South Carolina. She dished out more than 11 assists per set in the team’s four-set victory over the Gamecocks. With 45 assists in the weekend finale, she now has four matches this season with at least as many. Santos directed the Razorbacks to a .444 hitting percentage in the match-clinching set against South Carolina.

The Ponce, Puerto Rico, native tallied seven digs in each of Arkansas’ matches over the weekend. In Sunday’s match, she had a career-high four kills from her setter’s position. Santos also tallied three total blocks and two service aces.

Santos becomes the third Razorback to win multiple Freshman of the Week honors in one season, joining Christina Lawrence (2005) and Jasmine Norton (2009). In SEC matches this season, Santos has moved into fourth place among the league’s setters with 8.73 assists per set. She has also helped Arkansas set new overall and conference win totals, 14 and eight, respectively, under Pulliza.

The Razorbacks return to the court Wednesday for their season finale, a matchup with No. 17 LSU. First serve of the Western Division contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) at Barnhill Arena. For more information and game-day features, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.