SEC Opener at Barnhill Arena vs Tennessee
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Having spent the past two weekends on the road, the University of Arkansas volleyball team returns to Barnhill Arena Wednesday evening to open SEC play against Tennessee. First serve of the league opener is scheduled for 8 p.m. (CT). The Razorbacks enter Wednesday’s match with a 10-2 record, and have won their last four SEC openers.
Individual match tickets are $5 at the ticket window starting one hour prior to first serve. Students—with valid ID—and fans 17 years and younger receive free admission. In recognition of Band Appreciation Night, the Razorback Drumline will be in attendance for Wednesday’s match. For fans not able to make it, the match will be televised on ESPNU with Courtney Lyle and Jenny Hazelwood handling the play-by-play and color commentary duties, respectively.
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All-Time Series vs Tennessee
Wednesday’s match will be the 39th meeting in the series—tied 19-19—and the only meeting between the teams this year. The Razorbacks own a 10-8 edge in matches played at Barnhill Arena. This marks the fourth time Arkansas will open league play against Tennessee; team is 2-1 in those matches.
Last Time Out
The Razorbacks wrapped their non-conference schedule with a five-set road win at SMU (Sept. 16). In the weekend opener, the team beat Sam Houston State. Pilar Victoria, Okiana Valle and Elizabeth Pamphile were named to the SMU Doubletree Classic All-Tournament Team.
Non-Conference Snapshot
For the fourth time in program history, Arkansas enters SEC play with double-digit wins. The Razorbacks previously hit the mark in 1997 (10-3), 1999 (10-2) and 2015 (10-2). The team faced four teams that played in last year’s NCAA Tournament with road wins at Kansas State (Aug. 31) and SMU (Sept. 16). The Razorbacks’ only losses in non-conference play came to No. 6 Wisconsin and No. 19 USC.
Let’s Play Five
Arkansas improved to 3-1 with a five-set victory at SMU (Sept. 16). The Razorbacks hit .391 in the fifth set against the host Mustangs with six kills from Pilar Victoria and three each from freshmen Hailey Dirrigl and Elizabeth Pamphile. Overall, in its three five-set victories this season, Arkansas has registered a .417 hitting percentage.
Make It Three
For a third-consecutive week, redshirt senior Pilar Victoria was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week, the fifth weekly honor of her career. In earning MVP accolades at the SMU Doubletree Classic, she averaged 5.75 kills per set coupled with a .382 hitting percentage. Victoria added her third 30-kill outing of the season with 31 kills in the win over SMU (Sept. 16).
Among the Nation’s Best
Arkansas has a pair top-10 national performers in redshirt senior Pilar Victoria and sophomore Rachel Rippee. Victoria tops the SEC and NCAA with 6.43 kills per set and 6.91 points per set. She also ranks 11th in the conference with her .353 hitting percentage. Rippee leads the SEC and is ninth in the NCAA with 11.82 assists per set while guiding the Razorbacks to a .265 hitting percentage which is 31st nationally.
Season tickets are still available with pricing options beginning at $40 and can be purchased through the Razorback Ticket Center by calling 800-982-HOGS (4647). Following Wednesday’s SEC opener, the team is back in action Sunday to face No. 3 Florida at Barnhill Arena. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT).
For more information about Arkansas Volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Twitter.
