Arkansas’ Comeback Falls Short, Hogs Lose in Four
Despite taking the third set and making a late push in the fourth, the Razorbacks ran out of time on Friday as they fell in four sets to the Georgia Bulldogs (16-25, 22-25, 25-23, 19-25).
Freshman outside hitter Parker Duncan led the offensive effort for the Hogs with 20 kills on 59 swings with a .203. Romani Thurman tallied nine, and Lakin Laurendine and Journey Peppers got six apiece. Thurman and Peppers also contributed solidly on defense with five blocks each.
Sophomore Kiki Remensperger had a big showing with 37 assists and 13 digs for a double-double, her 11th of the season. She also contributed three of Arkansas’ five aces on the night.
Arkansas is now 1-4 in SEC play and 5-11 on the season.
Set 1
The Bulldogs came out with all the momentum in the opening set, limiting the Hogs to a point at a time while Georgia jumped out to a 15-8 lead at the media break. Arkansas just couldn’t get anything going offensively, and while the Razorbacks spoiled set point once, the Bulldogs finished it out 25-16 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Set 2
The second set was a bit more even between the two teams, with a 5-1 run pushing the Hogs to a 9-5 lead. Georgia called time, but it didn’t do much to slow the Razorbacks down as Arkansas went up 15-10 off kills from Duncan and Laurendine. The Bulldogs kept on chipping away though, and came within one off a 3-0 run, which prompted a Hog timeout. Georgia got two points out of the break to take the lead, but Arkansas got it back shortly after. The Bulldogs wouldn’t go away and scored five straight for a 23-19 lead. The Hogs couldn’t come close enough in the end and Georgia closed it 25-22 for a two-set match advantage.
Set 3
It looked like the Bulldogs were closing in on a sweep in the third set with a 15-12 lead at the media break. Georgia had an answer for the Hogs every time, and they called time down three at 17-14. The strategy worked as Arkansas went on a 3-0 run, capped off with back-to-back aces from Remensperger, and then it was the Bulldogs’ turn to huddle. There were five ties after that, but Georgia took a narrow 23-22 lead and Arkansas called time once again. The Hogs got the next two to flip the script again, and despite a Georgia timeout, Arkansas finished it out with a kill from Duncan for a 25-23 set victory that extended the match.
Set 4
Georgia found its rhythm again in the fourth set and went up 8-2. After an Arkansas timeout, the Hogs got four straight to come within two, but the Bulldogs kept their foot on the gas and doubled up the lead at 16-8. Georgia then extended the advantage to double digits at 21-11, and while the Hogs made a late push with three unanswered toward the end, they ran out of time as Georgia closed it out 25-19 and 3-1 on the match.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will be back at home on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. against South Carolina. It’s the team’s annual Pink Match, observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month and honoring those affected by all cancers. The action will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
More Information
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