Volleyball travels to Atlanta this weekend

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team returns to the court this weekend at the Regency Suites/Georgia Tech Classic in Atlanta, Ga. Arkansas (0-3) opens tournament play with host Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are receiving votes in this week’s national poll after a 3-0 weekend to open the season. The Razorbacks face No. 25 Michigan on Saturday. The Wolverines are also coming off a 3-0 weekend. Tournament play concludes for Arkansas as they travel across town to face Georgia State on the Panthers’ home court. “Well, we’re getting ready to go to Atlanta,” said first-year head coach Robert Pulliza. “We face two teams on their home courts and a very good Michigan team on a neutral floor. It should be a lot of fun.” Arkansas was looking for some of that fun when the Razorbacks opened the season at No. 17 Colorado State last weekend. Arkansas dropped all three matches in the tournament but the young team grew from the experience. “We’ve been working on cutting down on our unforced errors,” said Pulliza. “We had some jitters but I thought our serve-receive improved throughout the weekend. The blocking was much better than I expected.” Arkansas battled more than just its opponents last week. The Razorbacks were able to use senior Christina Lawrence for about a set and a half of the first match before a pre-existing injury pulled her from the lineup. In addition, the coaching staff made the transition to a 25-point game from the previous 30-point final. “It’s a totally different ball game,” said Pulliza. “Timeouts are different. Substitutions are different. The preparation for a match is huge. There are not many opportunities to make adjustments in a match.” Also making some adjustments was junior Kristin Seaton. Seaton, a Fort Smith, Ark., native, moved from the ride side to the middle over the weekend and made the transition seamlessly. “Kristin has been very flexible,” said Pulliza. “She does whatever the coaching staff asks of her and has really done a good job.” Sophomore Heather Royal and freshman Kelli Stipanovich also had good starts to the season. The Razorbacks play back-to-back 6 p.m. central time matches first with Georgia Tech Friday, followed by No. 25 Michigan Saturday. Arkansas’ match with Georgia State is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, log on to ArkansasRazoracks.com.