Upset on the SEC Network
The Razorbacks paid a visit to No. 20 Texas A&M last Wednesday (Oct. 15) in College Station and left town with a four-set victory for the program’s first win over a ranked team since the 2012 season. After a slow start in the match, the Arkansas offense registered a .342 hitting percentage over the final three sets against the Aggies; the team hit .000 in the first set. The win also represented the program’s first over Texas A&M since it joined the SEC in 2012. Arkansas was making it second-consecutive Wednesday appearance on the SEC Network.
Hays Reaches 800
In Arkansas’ road match at No. 8 Florida (Oct. 19), senior Meredith Hays became the 19th player in program history to reach 800 career kills. She did so with her 15th kill of the match. Hays’ performance against the Gators featured an eight-kill output in the second set. Sunday’s match was her fifth of the season with a .300 or higher hitting percentage coupled with at least 15 kills; she hit .345 against Florida.
Double-Double Triplets
For the first time since the 2012 season, the Razorbacks had three players post a double-double in the same match during the team’s win over No. 20 Texas A&M in College Station (Oct. 15). Bailee Hankenson had 49 assists and 10 digs, Meredith Hays had 23 kills and 15 digs and Samantha Skinner posted her first double-double of the season with 10 kills and 12 digs. The last Razorback double-double trio was Roslany Acosta, Jasmine Norton and Raymariely Santos versus Wichita State in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Clark-Bibbs, Jones Help Close out Aggies
The Razorback middle blockers stepped up in a big way in the Oct. 15 win at No. 20 Texas A&M. Chanell Clark-Bibbs and Breana Jones combined for 19 kills and eight total blocks. Seven of those kills came in the close-out fourth set including the match winner by Jones. Overall, Clark-Bibbs had 10 kills, six digs and four blocks while Jones totaled a season-high nine kills with four blocks.
How They Rank
In Monday’s release of the NCAA statistical rankings, senior Meredith Hays is 13th among the nation’s attackers with 4.66 kills per set and 17th in the country with 5.16 kills per set. She leads the SEC in both categories. Defensively, the Razorbacks combine to rank 59th in the NCAA with 2.42 team blocks per set. Between Arkansas’ efforts at the net and its floor defense, the team is holding its opponents to a .195 hitting percentage this season. The Razorbacks have held 12 opponents under a .200 hitting figure this year.
Up Next
After a week of road matches, Arkansas returns home Oct. 24 to host No. 16 Kentucky at Barnhill Arena. First serve of the SEC matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT). The Wildcats will be the third-consecutive ranked opponent for Arkansas. Friday’s match will be a meeting between the team’s positioned second and third in the SEC standings. The Razorbacks have won two of the last three meetings in the series and are looking to remain undefeated on its home floor during SEC play.
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