MANHATTAN, Kan. – Meredith Hays had a match-high 16 kills Thursday but the University of Arkansas volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of Kansas State. The Razorbacks (3-1) return to the court Friday to face UCF (4-0) in their second match of the K-State Varney’s Invitational. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT) at Bramlage Coliseum.
Hays also registered a career-best .400 (16-4-30) hitting percentage against the Wildcats, committing just one attack error after the opening set. Her previous best of .391 (12-3-23) came last year against Ole Miss in Fayetteville. In addition to her offensive output, Hays had seven digs in Thursday’s match. Danielle Harbin was second on the team with six kills. Overall, a season-high nine different Razorbacks had at least one kill at K-State.
Defensively, libero Monica Bollinger had a team-high eight digs while Bailee Hankenson tied Hays with seven digs of her own. The freshman setter dished out 28 assists and tied Chanell Clark-Bibbs for the team lead at two total blocks. Hays also added a solo block.
Friday’s match against UCF will be just the third between the two programs and the first since the 2002 season. Arkansas and UCF have never met on a neutral court with the Razorbacks holding a 2-0 advantage in the series. The Knights enter the weekend with a 4-0 record having yet to lose a set this season.
Season tickets to join the crowd at Barnhill Arena are 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.
#RazorFacts
• Season-high nine different Razorbacks registered at least one kill
• Meredith Hays is seven kills shy of 500 in her Razorback career
o Would be the 28th player in program history to reach milestone figure
o 16th match in her Razorback career with at least 15 kills; 29th time reaching double figures
• Thursday’s match vs. Kansas State was televised on FOX College Sports
o 25 of 31 matches are either televised or streamed live this season
• Next home match: Sept. 9 vs. Oral Roberts, first serve at 7 p.m.
For more information about Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.