Walt Beazley

Straight-Set Win Pushes Streak to Four in a Row

Box Score | Photo Gallery

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Behind a combined 16 kills from Chanell Clark-Bibbs and Breana Jones in the middle and a strong defensive showing, the University of Arkansas volleyball team opened the Razorback Invitational with a straight-set victory over Northwestern State Friday night at Barnhill Arena. The Razorbacks had four players with at least seven kills, led by a match-high 10 kills from Pilar Victoria.

Arkansas (6-1) registered 33 digs over the final two sets and limited Northwestern State to a -.043 hitting percentage during Friday’s match. The Razorbacks were also aided by tough serving, finishing the match with eight aces including four off the hand of Clark-Bibbs. Nine different Razorbacks had at least one dig against the Lady Demons. With her match-high nine digs, Monica Bollinger moved into 14th place on the program’s career digs list.

FINAL
Arkansas 3, Northwestern State 0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-15)
Attendance: 923 | Time: 1:15
Barnhill Arena | Fayetteville, Ark.

#RazorFacts
• Stat Leaders vs. Northwestern State
o Kills: 10 – Pilar Victoria
o Digs: 9 – Monica Bollinger
o Blocks: 3.0 (1-2) – Chanell Clark-Bibbs

After a back-and-forth start to the match, Arkansas won six of seven points to take a 17-11 lead, capping the run with two kills from Jones. The advantage grew to 21-13 after an ace from Barbara Dapic, forcing Northwestern State (2-6) to burn its second timeout in a seven-point span. On the team’s second set point, Victoria found the floor to clinch the opening set and give the Razorbacks the 1-0 match lead.

Clark-Bibbs dominated the second set from the service line, posting three aces in the frame. The senior middle blocker was at the line for 12 of Arkansas points including the final eight. The Razorbacks scored nine of the first 12 points of the game and maintained its advantage throughout, closing out the set on another Clark-Bibbs ace. Along with the four aces, Clark-Bibbs picked up a career-high eight digs.

Out of the locker room, the Razorbacks took a 5-1 lead in the third set after kills from Victoria and Clark-Bibbs. Leading by four at 14-10, Arkansas won five of the next six points to cushion its advantage. Dapic scored an ace of her own to push the lead to double digits at 23-13. The Razorbacks scored its final two points on Northwestern State service errors to clinch the sweep.

Arkansas returns to the court Saturday for a pair of matches, beginning with an 11 a.m. (CT) date with Southeast Missouri. The 2015 Razorback Invitational will draw to a close with the weekend finale between Arkansas and UT Arlington at 7 p.m. at Barnhill Arena. Both matches will be streamed live on SEC Network+ which is available at SECNetwork.com, ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app.

Beginning at $40 and a free team knit hat with each purchase, season tickets are currently on sale online or through the Razorback Ticket Center by calling 800-982-4647. Single-match general admission is $5 while UA students and youth—17 years old and younger—get in free.

For more information about Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.