LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team closes out its non-conference schedule this weekend with a road trip to Lawrence, Kan., for the Jayhawk Classic. The Razorbacks begin the round robin Friday with a 10 a.m. (CT) matchup with Cleveland State at the Horejsi Center. The tournament field also includes North Texas and 24th-ranked Kansas.
The Jayhawk Classic marks the fifth regular-season visit to Lawrence in program history and the third under head coach Robert Pulliza. Between non-conference and NCAA visits, Arkansas is 6-5 all-time in Lawrence with a 3-1 mark against the host Jayhawks. Overall, Arkansas and Kansas have split the previous eight meetings between the two programs. The Razorbacks own a 3-1 advantage against North Texas and will be playing Cleveland State for the first time.
Through the first three weeks of the 2014 season, Arkansas ranks third in the SEC and 28th in the NCAA with 2.69 blocks per set. In their last outing, the Razorbacks matched their season high with 16.0 total team blocks and enter the weekend having out-blocked their opponent in eight of 10 matches this year. Opponents are hitting just .173 against Arkansas this season.
Individually, senior Meredith Hays leads the conference and is 23rd in the NCAA with 4.32 kills per set and 28th in the country with 4.86 points per set. Defensively, redshirt sophomore Ana Sofia Jusino is 41st in the NCAA with 1.32 blocks per set. She and junior Chanell Clark-Bibbs (1.12 b/s) are fifth and 10th in the SEC, respectively. Behind the block, junior Monica Bollinger is seventh in the league at 3.92 digs per set.
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. Arkansas’ next home match will double as the team’s SEC opener Sept. 26 against Tennessee.
#RazorFacts
• Jayhawk Classic tournament field
o Arkansas: 4-6
o Cleveland State: 6-4
o No. 24 Kansas: 9-2
o North Texas: 9-1
• Jayhawk Classic tournament schedule
o Friday vs. Cleveland State – 10 a.m.
o Friday vs. North Texas – 5:30 p.m.
o Saturday vs. No. 24 Kansas – 6:30 p.m. [ESPN3/WatchESPN]
• Next home match: SEC opener Sept. 26 vs. Tennessee, first serve at 7 p.m.
For more information about Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.