FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Bailee Hankenson and Meredith Hays each turned in double-double performances Friday night but the University of Arkansas volleyball team lost to South Dakota in five sets at Barnhill Arena. Hays had 20 kills and 18 digs for her third-consecutive double-double while Hankenson dished out 40 assists to go with 13 digs. The match was their third-consecutive five setter and fourth of the season.
The team returns to action Saturday for the second day of the Razorback Invitational with matches against Stony Brook at 11 a.m. (CT) and SMU at 7 p.m. The weekend finale against SMU will be streamed on SEC Network+ which is available on SECNetwork.com, ESPN3.com or the WatchESPN app. Log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com for live stats of all matches.
Arkansas (3-5) faced a two-set deficit for the first time this season but responded with identical winning scores of 25-22 in games three and four. In the decisive frame, neither team gained more than a two-point advantage and the score was tied at 12-all before South Dakota (3-4) won two in a row to set up a pair of match points. The Razorbacks saved one with a kill by Chanell Clark-Bibbs but the visitors sealed the win with a kill on the next play.
In addition to her third-straight match with at least 20 kills, Hays’ 18 digs are a career best, surpassing her previous high of 16 digs earlier this season against Middle Tennessee (Sept. 6). She continues her ascent up the program’s career list and is now just nine kills shy of moving into 25th place all-time at Arkansas.
Hankenson’s double-double is her second of the season and included her first 40-assist match of the year. With 13 digs, she finished just one shy of her best of 14 digs against Michigan (Aug. 30). From her libero position, Monica Bollinger had 18 digs of her own and is now just 17 digs away from becoming the 31st player in program history with 500 career digs.
In the middle, Clark-Bibbs and Ana Sofia Jusino each had nine kills and six total blocks; Danielle Harbin was the third Razorback with six blocks Friday against USD. Overall, the Razorbacks finished the match with 14.5 total team blocks and have now out-blocked their opponent in six of eight matches this season.
Season tickets to join the crowd at Barnhill Arena are on sale and can be purchased online 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.
Final
South Dakota 3, Arkansas 2 (25-20, 25-13, 22-25, 22-25, 15-13)
Attendance: 928 | Time: 2:06
#RazorFacts
• Arkansas Stat Leaders
o Kills: 20 – Meredith Hays
o Digs: 18 – Monica Bollinger, Meredith Hays
o Blocks: 6 – Chanell Clark-Bibbs, Danielle Harbin, Ana Sofia Jusino
• Double-Double Watch:
o Bailee Hankenson – 40 assists, 13 digs
o Meredith Hays – 20 kills, career-high 18 digs
• Milestone Watch:
o Monica Bollinger: 17 shy of 500 career digs
o Meredith Hays: nine kills shy of 25th place on program’s career list
- 22 shy of 600 career kills
• Friday’s match was team’s third-consecutive five setter
• First-ever meeting between Arkansas and South Dakota
• Next up: Home match Sept. 13 vs. Stony Brook at 11 a.m. & SMU at 7 p.m.
For more information on Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.