Valle Paces Defense in Loss to No. 1 Nebraska
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Sophomore libero Okiana Valle collected a match-high 14 digs Friday evening in the Razorbacks’ straight-set loss to No. 1 Nebraska on day two of the Lobo Classic. Senior co-captain Danielle Harbin paced the offense with nine kills while Savannah Voelzke added seven kills and 10 digs. The Razorbacks wrap the weekend in Albuquerque Saturday afternoon with an exhibition match against Montreal with first serve scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT).
FINAL
No. 1 Nebraska 3, Arkansas 0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-21) | Box Score
Attendance: 75 | Time: 1:30
WisePies Arena (Albuquerque, N.M.)
#RazorStats
• Leaders vs No. 1 Nebraska
o Kills: Danielle Harbin – 9
o Digs: Okiana Valle – 14
o Blocks: Ana Sofia Jusino – 4.0 (1-3)
Collectively, Arkansas out-blocked its opponent (6.0-4.0) and finished the match with more digs (37-34) in holding Nebraska to its lowest hitting percentage of the year. The Cornhuskers finished the match more than 100 points below their season average.
Through the opening stages of the first set, Arkansas (1-7) went toe-to-toe with the top-ranked team in the nation, taking a 16-14 lead after a tandem block from Harbin and Breana Jones. Out of a timeout, however, the Cornhuskers used a 6-1 run to go ahead on the scoreboard and used a similar surge of five out of six to secure the opener.
Nebraska (5-0) carried the momentum into the second, building an early 8-2 lead which forced Razorback head coach Jason Watson to use a timeout. Arkansas steadied and pulled to within four points when Jones and Ana Sofia Jusino combined for a block to cut the Nebraska lead to 12-8. The defending national champions pulled away late to take a 2-0 match lead into the locker room.
The teams were out to an even start in the third with Arkansas using another block from Jones, this time teaming up with Barbara Dapic for a 5-5 score. The Cornhuskers used a mini-run to go ahead by three at 11-8 but Arkansas returned the favor with a surge of its own to tie the score at 13-all with a kill by Jones. The Razorbacks cut a once seven-point deficit to three—saving a pair of match points along the way—after a Valle ace.
The team makes its home debut Sept. 16-17 with the Arkansas Invitational at Barnhill Arena. Season tickets are available for purchase through the Razorback Ticket Center with pricing options beginning at $40. For more information, fans can call 800-982-HOGS (4647) or buy tickets online.
For more information about Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.
