SEC picks Norton for third time

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second consecutive week, and third time in four, Jasmine Norton was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week when league honors were announced Monday. In victories against Alabama and Mississippi State, Norton tallied her third and fourth double-double performances in a row. She is the seventh player, since the conference began the Freshman of the Week award in 2005, to receive the honor at least three times in the same season."Jasmine has been putting up big numbers which shows with her third Freshman of the Week award," head coach Robert Pulliza said. "The exciting about this is she keeps getting better. Every time she’s won an award, she’s stepped it up the next week and that shows good maturity at such a young age. She’s not resting on her previous accomplishments and that’s a great sign from any athlete."Against the Crimson Tide, Norton totaled 21 kills and 13 digs as the Razorbacks rallied for a five-set victory in front 1,034 fans, the largest crowd at Barnhill Arena this season. In the decisive set, she had nine kills and six digs to help lead Arkansas back from a 12-6 deficit. In the weekend finale against Mississippi State, Norton posted 21 kills and 14 digs and hit .390, her highest hitting percentage in a conference match this season. The 21 kills are the most by an SEC player in a four-set league match this season. Norton’s 21-kill effort is her third straight match with at least 20 kills. She had a least five kills in each set against the Bulldogs.

"Another great thing about Jasmine is the way she closed against Alabama and Mississippi State," Pulliza said. "She was huge for us down the stretch in those matches."For the week, the Rowlett, Texas, native averaged 4.67 kills per set, 3.00 digs per set and 4.89 points per set. Norton is third in conference-only matches with 3.97 kills per set, and fourth overall with 3.63 kills per set. During her current streak of four consecutive double-doubles, she is averaging 18 kills and 12.5 digs per match.The Razorbacks head back to the court for an Oct. 14 midweek matchup with Ole Miss at Barnhill Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. Live stats will be available and the match will be broadcast live on KXUA 88.3 FM in Fayetteville. Log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com for more information.