March 28, 2024

Benjamin Better

Better Get Computer

Arkansas volleyball downs Missouri Condition in exhibition

FAYETTEVILLE — It may well not have counted for the file, but College of Arkansas volleyball Coach Jason Watson came away happy with his team’s response below pressure Saturday afternoon in Barnhill Arena.

The Razorbacks rallied from an 8-place deficit to declare the 3rd established, then scored 6 of the previous 8 details in the fourth to receive a 25-18, 21-25, 25-21, 25-21 exhibition victory more than Missouri Point out.

Watson acknowledged he allow gamers know how playing time would be divided via the to start with 4 sets, precisely grouping the beginning team in the to start with and final.

“We put some kids in some stress filled cases, and I thought they responded properly,” he reported. “I assume we saw a whole lot of what we preferred to see. Even that 2nd established, that’s a challenging matter and they did not make changes that 2nd established.

“I seriously am happy with in which we are at, thrilled that we have an additional 7 days nevertheless to do some stuff. Total, I imagined there were some fantastic moments.”

The Razorbacks open the year by internet hosting the College of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday at 7 p.m. as section of the Arkansas Traditional. They end off the event by facing Louisiana Tech at midday Saturday and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock at 7 p.m.

All-SEC outside hitter Jillian Gillen strike a sizzling .394 with a match-significant 17 kills, whilst Taylor Head — past year’s SEC Freshman of the 12 months — included a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs in the victory.

[GALLERY: Click here for more photos ยป arkansasonline.com/822uavolley/]

Head, a 5-10 sophomore from Wintertime Yard, Fla., reported the team’s chemistry is improved than a yr back and it showed some in people remaining two sets.

“We just pulled together as a staff and determined, ‘You know what? We can do this,”https://www.arkansasonline.com/information/2021/aug/22/arkansas-volleyball-downs-missouri-condition-in/” Head said. “Let us enjoy our activity. We know we can all get the position finished and owning that way of thinking can set us even additional alongside.

“It might audio tacky but our chemistry is much better. We received to commit a large amount of time alongside one another these final pair months.

Watson explained he even now has conclusions to make, precisely at libero and on the proper facet.

Watson experienced 4 gamers split time at libero for the duration of the exhibition. Courtney Jackson, a 5-8 freshman from Olathe, Kan., tied with Head with a match-superior 10 digs. She might be the leader of the group, but it is even now way too shut to contact, Watson claimed.

“I consider the four you observed tonight are all in that combine,” he mentioned. “I believed our lib participate in was better than it was a 12 months back. We bought a small battle on that correct side concerning Hailey Dirrigl and Maggie Cartwright. We bought another week to figure that out.”

Cartwright had three kills late in the fourth set for Arkansas. Her back-to-again blasts snapped a 19-19 tie and gave the Razorbacks momentum late in the set.

The addition of 6-1 Abigail Archibong, a graduate transfer from Kansas Point out, has contributed to enhanced blocking by the Razorbacks, Watson said. Ellease Crumpton, a 6-3 senior who made 10 starts very last period, had a match-high 5 blocks (one solo), even though Archibong additional four block helps.

“I assume with Ellease, Abigail and Maggie, that varieties a very good block that we have not witnessed in a when,” Watson explained. “Established just one I believe we have been very very good at that, and then we spun the dial and we missing some of that. But I do think that to start with set was quite awesome.”