Non-Conference Slate Continues at Lobo Classic
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Continuing its non-conference road tests, the University of Arkansas volleyball team travels to the Land of Enchantment for this weekend’s Lobo Classic in Albuquerque. Competition begins Thursday with a match against host New Mexico, followed by Saturday’s contest with defending national champion Nebraska.
2016 Lobo Classic | Match Notes
Thursday, Sept. 8
8:30 p.m. – Arkansas at New Mexico – Live Stats | MW Live
Friday, Sept. 9
6 p.m. – Arkansas vs. No. 1 Nebraska – Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 10
1 p.m. – Arkansas vs. Montreal (exhibition) – Live Stats
Senior co-captain Danielle Harbin goes into the weekend off a second all-tournament honor after her performance at the Kansas Invitational which included a career-high 22 kills in a five setter against the fourth-ranked Jayhawks. She leads the team and sits just outside of the SEC top-10 rankings with 3.52 kills per set through the first two weeks of the season. Savannah Voelzke and Rachel Rippee are tied for the team lead with two double-doubles each.
Defensively, Arkansas has a pair of SEC top-five performers in senior co-captain Breana Jones and sophomore libero Okiana Valle. Jones tallied a career-high 11 total blocks in the Razorbacks’ last outing against Kansas and is fourth in the SEC with 1.26 blocks per set. Coming off a season-high showing of 28 digs, Valle ranks fifth in the league with 4.13 digs per set. Rippee leads the team from the service line with nine aces.
Thursday’s match against New Mexico marks just the second meeting between the two programs with Arkansas posting a five-set win at Barnhill Arena in 2013. Then a freshman, Harbin had 11 kills and three total blocks against the Lobos. The Razorbacks will face Nebraska for the just the third time in program history, and first time since the 1997 season.
After three road trips to begin the season, the Razorbacks return to Fayetteville for their home opener Sept. 16-17 with the Arkansas Invitational at Barnhill Arena. Season tickets are available for purchase through the Razorback Ticket Center with pricing options beginning at $40. Fans can call 800-982-HOGS (4647) or buy tickets online.
For more information about Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter.
