Gillen Shines in Arkansas’ 3-1 Win at Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. – Sophomore Jillian Gillen notched her 15th career double-double in Arkansas’ 3-1 win at Georgia on Friday evening (33-31, 25-15, 20-25, 25-21). Gillen tallied 22 kills and 13 digs in the Razorback victory.
“It’s been a short week for us, playing tonight after only two days of practice,” said head volleyball coach Jason Watson. “I feel that we got a return on those two days playing a little cleaner after being heavily challenged by Georgia all night.”
Hog Highlights
The 3-1 win is Arkansas’ first win at Georgia since 2016.
Jillian Gillen | 22 kills, 13 digs, career-high four service aces
Taylor Head | 11 kills, 13 digs
Gracie Ryan | 47 assists, five blocks
How it Happened
The first set proved it would be a marathon battle for Arkansas and Georgia, as the two teams went back and forth, well into extra set points to settle the score. Tied at 31-31, junior Lauren Evans served up one of Arkansas’ nine total service aces and classmate Ellease Crumpton followed with a solid solo block to lift the Razorbacks over the Bulldogs, 33-31 in the first set.
It was all Hogs in the second set and Arkansas’ dominant defense held Georgia to a .000 hitting percentage, allowing only seven kills in 28 total attack attempts from the Bulldogs. The Razorbacks earned 13 kills of their own and took a 2-0 match lead after winning the second set, 25-15.
The Hogs were unable to overcome a quick Georgia start in the third set, falling 25-20 to force a fourth set inside Stegeman Coliseum.
Arkansas found itself trailing for the majority of the fourth set and didn’t take the lead until senior Devyn Wheeler stepped up and delivered a crucial service ace for the Razorbacks, giving her team a 20-19 advantage. The Hogs claimed five of the final six points to clinch the win, with Gillen’s 22nd kill of the night sealing the victory.
Freshman Taylor Head played a crucial part in the Razorbacks’ serve-receive game tonight, being targeted off the serve 42 times and only being faulted for one reception error for an impressive 98% reception efficiency across four sets.
“As always, tomorrow’s a new challenge,” said Watson. “Tonight we will get some rest, make some upgrades and go compete against a very talented Georgia team again tomorrow.”
Friday’s match is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start time and will air live on the SEC Network.
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