FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ volleyball team is back at Barnhill Arena this weekend after four-straight matches away from home.
The Razorbacks will welcome Buffalo, Butler and Northwestern to Fayetteville for the Arkansas Classic which begins Friday. Individual match tickets are $5 while UA students and fans 17 years and younger will receive free admission.
2018 Arkansas Classic
Friday, Sept. 7
5 p.m. – Northwestern (H) vs Buffalo
7 p.m. – Arkansas vs Butler
Saturday, Sept. 8
10 a.m. – Butler (H) vs Northwestern
12 p.m. – Arkansas vs Buffalo
5 p.m. – Buffalo (H) vs Butler
7 p.m. – Arkansas vs Northwestern
Against the Field
Of its three opponents during this weekend’s round robin at Barnhill Arena, Arkansas has only faced Butler but the two programs haven’t played since 1999.
The Razorbacks own a 3-1 lead in the series. Buffalo and Northwestern are two of four first-time opponents this season.
Last Time Out
Arkansas went 2-1 during last weekend’s Diet Coke Classic in Minneapolis. The Razorbacks collected wins over Georgia Southern and North Dakota State before falling to host and new No. 1 Minnesota.
Senior Showcase
Kelly O’Brien and Okiana Valle were named to the Diet Coke Classic All-Tournament Team. O’Brien tallied 3.20 kills per set and had a career-high 14 kills against Minnesota while Valle averaged 4.30 digs per set with 21 digs in a four-set win over North Dakota State.
Defensive Stand
In a straight-set win over Georgia Southern (Aug. 31), the Razorbacks held their opponent to a -.013 effiency which is the sixth-lowest mark since 2005. Through two weeks, Arkansas is holding opponents to a .148 figure which ranks second in the SEC.
Where They Rank
Junior Rachel Rippee enters the weekend fifth in the SEC at 10.68 assists per set while senior libero Okiana Valle also ranks fifth with 4.47 digs per set. Sophomore Hailey Dirrigl is averaging 3.88 kills per set which is eighth in the SEC.
Season tickets are still available with pricing options beginning at $40 and can be purchased through the Razorback Ticket Center by calling 800-982-HOGS (4647).
Following this weekend’s Arkansas Classic, the Razorbacks return to their home floor Sept. 23 to host Missouri.
