FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas volleyball team begins its 2014 season Friday evening with day one of the Arkansas Invitational at Barnhill Arena. The Razorbacks will face Tennessee State in the 21st season opener in program history with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT). The rest of the field for the Arkansas Invitational includes Michigan and Stephen F. Austin.
All three of Arkansas’ matches this weekend will be streamed live on SEC Network+, the network’s digital platform. Web broadcasts are available online at SECNetwork.com, ESPN3.com or through the WatchESPN app. To watch SEC Network+ broadcasts, users must have a cable provider that has the SEC Network and log-in using their username and password when prompted.
Among Friday’s promotions, the first 50 University of Arkansas students in attendance will receive a free hot dog, popcorn and drink voucher. The first 100 fans at the season opener will get a free Razorback Friday t-shirt. There is also free admission for all Arkansas faculty and staff with a valid UA ID card. For a full list of this weekend’s promotions, click HERE.
Season tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com or by calling 800-982-HOGS (4647). Beginning at $40, all season-ticket packages include a free team knit hat. Single-match tickets are $5 for adults while UA students and fans 17 years and younger get in free.
The Razorbacks are 13-7 all-time in season openers and are 16-4 in home openers at Barnhill Arena. Arkansas has won its last two season-opening matches with victories over Tennessee-Martin in 2012 and Northwestern State in 2013. Head coach Robert Pulliza enters his seventh season at the helm of the Razorback Volleyball program, having guided the team to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.
Friday’s match against Tennessee State will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Arkansas continues its weekend Saturday with matches at 11 a.m. against Stephen F. Austin and 7 p.m. against Michigan. The Razorbacks are 5-0 all-time versus SFA while looking for their first win against the Wolverines. Arkansas and Michigan last met in 2012 in a five-set thriller in Ann Arbor.
For more information about Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Twitter.