Volleyball hits the beach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team will take part in the Second Annual Southeastern Conference Coaches Beach Volleyball Championship this weekend in Fiesta Keys, Fla. The Razorbacks will send a two-person team for the sand event. This year’s team features sophomore-to-be Kelli Stipanovich and senior Caria Dortch. The duo are guaranteed a pair of matches in pool play with the opportunity to move on into bracket play throughout the weekend. “We are big supporters of beach volleyball so we are excited that the SEC Beach Championships are finally here," said Arkansas head coach Robert Pulliza. "Kelli has been training really hard throughout the spring so it will be fun for her to see her hard work pay off. She is going to be playing with Caira who, although done with her indoor eligibility, still has the opportunity to represent us in the sand. The SEC Beach Championship is the premier college conference event in teh country and we are proud to be a part of it." Stipanovich paced Arkansas last year with a team-leading 303 kills and was second with a 2.83 kills-per-game average. She scored a team-best 334 points for the Razorbacks in her first season of collegiate volleyball. Dortch was one of two setters for Arkansas last year. She led the team with 564 assists and a 6.80 assist-per-game average. The SEC Coaches Beach Volleyball Challenge is the only spring event for the Razorbacks. It is part of a larger tournament, The Siesta in Fiesta Keys, with 96 teams getting court time this weekend. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.