Weekend finale vs. Auburn at Barnhill
FAYETTEVILLE – On the heels of a five-set victory in its Southeastern Conference opener, the University of Arkansas volleyball team will host Auburn Sunday afternoon. First serve of the Western Division matchup is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Barnhill Arena. Arkansas enters the matchup with a 7-5 overall record and a 1-0 mark in conference play.
The Razorbacks rallied past Georgia in the conference opener behind the first career double-double performance by Kendall Cleveland and 24 kills by Jasmine Norton. Cleveland posted career highs with 18 kills and 12 digs. At the setter position, freshman Raymariely Santos made her first career start and directed the Arkansas offense to a .316 hitting percentage.
On the season, Norton leads the team, and is second in the SEC, with 4.19 kills per set. With her performance against Georgia, the sophomore now has a double-digit kill total in 17 consecutive conference matches. As a team, the Razorbacks are fifth in the league with their .244 hitting percentage. Arkansas has 10 or more total team blocks in five matches this season, including a 12.5-block effort against UGA.
In the all-time series with Auburn, the Razorbacks own a 29-4 advantage, tied for the most wins by the program against any other SEC team; Arkansas also has 29 wins against Mississippi State. Last season, Arkansas and Auburn each won on its home court in five sets. The last four meetings between the two teams have gone the distance. The Razorbacks are 13-2 against Auburn in matches played in Fayetteville.
Auburn (9-4, 0-1 SEC) opened conference play with a four-set loss at No. 19 LSU. In defeat, Sarah Bullock had a team-high 14 kills and completed a double-double with 12 digs. Libero Liz Crouch had a match-high 26 digs. Bullock leads the Tigers with 2.92 kills per set. In the preseason coaches’ poll, Auburn was picked to finish second in the Western Division, one spot ahead of the Razorbacks.
Fans in attendance for the Arkansas-Auburn match can pick up the 2010 team photo card. A live stream, interactive blog and live stats will be available Sunday during the match at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
