Hogs Back at Barnhill for Auburn Series
Arkansas gets home court advantage this weekend for two matches against Auburn in the Razorbacks’ second SEC series of the season.
The Hogs take on the Tigers on Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. It’s a long-awaited reunion for the two teams, who haven’t played each other since the 2019 season. Arkansas leads the all-time series 37-12 and is 19-4 at home.
Auburn is 2-2 in SEC play and 10-4 on the year. The Tigers’ two losses came against No. 22 Tennessee and Ole Miss, which received votes in this week’s AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll.
The Razorbacks will take on one of the toughest defenses in the SEC with Auburn. The Tigers are third in the conference in blocks per set with 2.74 to the Hogs’ 2.05, and second in the SEC in digs per set at 16.27. Arkansas comes in fifth with 15.57 digs per set. The Tigers are also holding their opponents to the lowest hitting percentage in the SEC at .120.
Senior middle blocker Tatum Shipes leads the conference in blocks with 1.59 per set, and senior libero Bella Rosenthall is at the top in digs with 5.19 per set.
The Razorbacks outpace the Tigers in assists per set (12.57), kills per set (13.76), and aces per set (1.79). Arkansas is the best serving team in the conference by a large margin, with 104 aces to No. 2 South Carolina’s 79.
Both matches will be streamed on SEC Network+ with live stats provided. Saturday is Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night, as well as Camper Reunion Day, Girl Scout Day, and the fourth Area School Day of the season for the kids. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday are available online or by calling the Razorback Ticket Center at (479) 575-5151.
Last Time Out
The Hogs had a quick road trip earlier in the week for a Wednesday match at Ole Miss, and they came back to Fayetteville with a sweep in hand. Arkansas defeated the Rebels 25-20, 25-20 and 25-17 for the team’s seventh sweep of the season and second in SEC play. Sophomore Taylor Head led the team with 14 kills, hit .417 and posted a career-high two solo blocks. Junior Maggie Cartwright set a new career best in hitting percentage, with 11 kills on 17 swings for .529.
Up Next
Arkansas has a week off before returning to action in Lexington against reigning national champion and fifth-ranked Kentucky Oct. 22-23. Friday’s match is set for 8 p.m. and will air live on SEC Network, and Saturday’s 6 p.m. match will be available on SECN+.
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