Gillen Earns SEC Freshman of the Week Honors

FAYETTEVILLE – Freshman volleyball player Jillian Gillen is starting her collegiate career off on the right foot. Her energy on the court and aggressiveness at the net yielded 48 kills in three matches, earning the MVP title for the Arkansas Classic and SEC Freshman of the Week.

Gillen’s honor is the first of its kind since 2014 and only the seventh since the award was introduced during the 2005 season.

The outside hitter from Stilwell, Kansas, averaged 5.00 points, 4.36 kills and 2.36 digs per set in the Arkansas Classic this past weekend. In her opening match against Northwestern State, Gillen posted 13 kills, becoming the first Razorback with double-digit kills in her freshman debut. She then recorded her first double-double of 26 kills and 13 digs against Montana State, becoming one of only 22 Razorbacks to ever record 25+ kills in a single match.

Gillen helped lead the Razorbacks to a 3-0 showing during opening weekend. Arkansas defeated Northwestern State (3-0), Little Rock (3-0) and Montana State (3-2) on the way to an Arkansas Classic Tournament title.

Arkansas will practice on Tuesday afternoon as they prepare for a trip to the west coast for the SDSU/USD Challenge in San Diego, Calif. hosted by San Diego State.