Razorbacks Gut Out Five-Set Victory Over Rockets

Though it wasn’t without some drama and required a fifth set, the Arkansas volleyball team finally found itself back in the win column again as the Hogs took down the Toledo Rockets on Sunday, 3-2 (25-17, 21-25, 26-24, 24-26, 15-8).

For the third straight match, Lakin Laurendine led Arkansas in kills with 21, her second 20+ kill outing of the weekend. She also added 12 digs for a double-double. With three outstanding matches for Arkansas, Laurendine was named to the Buffs Invitational All-Tournament Team.

Parker Duncan and Romani Thurman also had double-digit kill matches with 14 apiece. Thurman put up 13 digs as well for a double-double and managed to add three blocks.

Kiki Remensperger continued to pace the offense extremely well with 48 assists and contributed four kills. She also delivered on the defensive side of the ball with 17 digs for a double-double and four blocks.

Arkansas’ middle blocker tandem of Zoi Evans and Journey Peppers combined for two solo blocks and nine block assists, and the Hogs totaled a dozen team blocks for the second match in a row.

Set 1

The first part of the opening set was close, but the Hogs used a 6-1 run that featured three blocks for a 10-5 lead. Toledo got right back into it following a timeout and scored five unanswered to knot the score at 10-all. The Razorbacks didn’t give the Rockets too much room, though, and extended their lead to 19-14 after a Laurendine kill. Toledo huddled again, but the Hogs kept on pressing and a Rocket error put them three points away. Toledo got one back, but two kills and a block from Arkansas closed the set 25-17 in the Hogs’ favor.

Set 2

Arkansas led for a majority of the second set, doubling up on the Rockets 12-6 with a four-point run with two kills from Thurman. The Hogs maintained control for a bit longer until Toledo rattled off six straight points to tie it 14-14. From there, the momentum swung in the Rockets’ direction, and the Hogs chased until getting the lead back at 21-20. Toledo locked in at that point and despite the Razorbacks taking two timeouts, it didn’t faze the Rockets and they ran away with the set 25-21.

Set 3

Toledo carried its energy into the third set, and Arkansas found itself down 11-7 in a hurry. The Rockets stifled any long-lasting runs by the Razorbacks, but three Arkansas points, capped off with a kill from Jada Lawson, brought the Hogs within one at 19-18. A solo block from Peppers tied it at 22-22, but Toledo got to set point shortly after. The Razorbacks took a last-ditch timeout, but it made all the difference as Arkansas got four points in a row after for a narrow 26-24 set victory and 2-1 lead in the match.

Set 4

The two teams traded runs in the fourth set, but the Rockets used a 7-2 streak to gain a considerable advantage of 16-10 on the Razorbacks. Arkansas managed to come within three thanks to back-to-back kills from its freshman stars Peppers and Duncan. But Toledo then got three back to maintain a six-point edge. Arkansas kept pushing and even tied it off a Thurman kill at 22-22, prompting a Toledo timeout. The Hogs took the lead right after, but this time the Rockets went the distance and won the set in extra points, 26-24, forcing a fifth.

Set 5

The deciding set was all Arkansas, with three Hog blocks in their first four points, and an early Toledo timeout. The Razorbacks kept the momentum going and managed to make it 7-0 before the Rockets got on the board. A block from Remensperger and Peppers put Arkansas over 10 points, and Toledo huddled again. Back-to-back Razorback kills made it 12-5, and while the Rockets were able to add two more and spoil match point once, a final kill from Evans secured the five-set victory for Arkansas.

Up Next

The Hogs return home for the Razorback Invitational Sept. 18-20, with matches against SIU, NDSU, and Arkansas State at Barnhill Arena. Season and single match tickets are on sale online, in person, or by phone from the Razorback Ticket Center.

More Information

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