Before Sunday’s game against Colorado, the Buffaloes had gone 14 straight sets without losing. The Razorbacks responded with three straight losses, giving Arkansas 18 straight wins. The Hogs now have a record six games last set in the 2001 season.
It was also Colorado’s first game loss of the season, and both teams are now 7-1. Both the Hogs and Buffs received votes in this week’s AVCA poll.
“Really strong performance this weekend. Together proud of the team effort. We played very clean today and struggled to get points against a great Colorado team,” said head coach Jason Watson. “I feel like we’re in a good place to head into two equally difficult games outside of the conference. I’m looking forward to playing at home on Thursday and Friday.”
Junior Taylor Head carried the Hog offense again in Sunday’s Arkansas invitation finals with 13 kills and 10 digs for a double-double. She also had three team-best serve aces, which is a new high of the season. Sophomore setter Hannah Hogue stepped up the Hogs with 24 assists and 14 digs for a double-double performance, her third of the season.
Senior Maggie Cartwright was a key contributor on both sides of the ball that day, with nine kills on 23 attempts for a .304 batting average and five blocks. Three Hogs had five or more blocks in Arkansas’ 12-team total, the third time the Razorbacks had a dozen blocks as the season-best. Cartwright and graduate middle blocker Tatum Shipes had five, while graduate Abigail Archibong led Arkansas with six, her season high.
set 1
Arkansas started the match with a 5-3 run, but Colorado stayed on the Hogs’ heels, equalizing early on three occasions. The Razorbacks then went on a four-point streak with two kills from Head, one from Cartwright and a solo block from Hailey Dirrigl to take a 15-11 lead at the media timeout. The Hogs then scored four of the next six points, sending the Buffs to a timeout with Arkansas at 19-13. The break rejuvenated Colorado and the visitors came at one 19-18, but Arkansas responded, traveling a 5-2 run at one another to force the set point. The Buffs called the time, but a Cartwright kill ended the set 25-20 in the Razorbacks’ favor.
sentence 2
The Hogs came out of the second set with a 9-3 opening advantage that included two aces from sophomore Courtney Jackson and two kills from Head. The Buffs called the time but couldn’t get much from the break, and Arkansas quickly took a 14-5 lead. The Hogs added three more points to double the lead and Colorado once again huddled. The home team went over 20 with a kill from Dirrigl and then scored another two points for a 10-point lead. The Buffs grabbed three of the next four, but a miss of serve gave Arkansas the set point. Colorado got one back, but a tip kill from Head made it 25-16 hogs and gave Arkansas a 2-0 lead in the match.
set 3
While the Buffaloes came four times within one early in the third set, the Hogs showed no mercy after that. A 5-1 run in Arkansas made the score 12-7, and Colorado called the time-out. The Razorbacks picked up four of the next five points, including an ace from Head, and went up 16-8. A kill from Dirrigl and an ace from Gillen extended the lead to 19-10, and a block from Head and Shipes put Arkansas over 20. Colorado cut the lead to eight but three straight hog points, including back-to-bac -Aces from Head to end it sealed Arkansas’ 25-14 set win and third match sweep in as many days.
Next
Next up is a top 5 showdown for the Razorbacks when the No. 5 Georgia Tech Yellowjackets come to town Thursday, September 15 at 7 p.m. at Barnhill Arena as part of the Arkansas Challenge. It will be the highest-ranking opponent Arkansas has received at home since No. 3 Florida in the 2017 season, in which the Razorbacks fell to the Gators in five losses. The game saw the ninth best crowd ever in Arkansas at 1,343 fans. The Hogs also face the NC State Wolfpack the following day, September 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online, by phone, or in person through the Razorback Ticket Center.
More information
Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on Arkansas volleyball. You can also find the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Volleyball) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackVB).
Comments are closed.