Razorbacks’ Season Comes to an End in Savannah

Arkansas played its first SEC Tournament match in 20 years on Friday and while the Hogs got out to a strong start and won the opening set, they ultimately fell 3-1 to the Oklahoma Sooners (25-18, 17-25, 12-25, 20-25).

Fifth year outside hitter Jada Lawson had a tremendous day with 20 kills. She had just three errors on 39 swings for a .436 hitting percentage, a new career high, along with personal best in kills. It was the third time in four matches in which Lawson hit over .250, and her second in a row hitting over .300. Jada also recorded 10 digs for a double-double, her third of the season and second in a row.

In her last appearance as a Razorback, graduate middle blocker Zoi Evans had a record book performance as her two blocks on the day put her at 354 in her career, good for No. 10 on the program career blocks list.

Arkansas concludes the season with a 5-22 record, 1-14 in SEC play.

Set 1

While Oklahoma struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the opening set, everything went right for Arkansas. A 3-0 run capped off by an ace from Avery Calame made it 9-4 Hogs and sent the Sooners to a timeout. Oklahoma got four of the next five points, but Arkansas continued to control the tempo as the Sooner attack errors began to pile up. A kill from Romani Thurman put Arkansas two away at 23-16, and she got another to take it to set point. Oklahoma spoiled it once, but Lawson put it away 25-18 in favor of Arkansas.

Set 2

The second set saw the two teams steadily trade points to start, but the Hogs began to pull away with a 3-0 run that included back-to-back service aces from Parker Duncan for a 10-7 lead. The Sooners locked in from there though and went on a 4-1 run that tied it at 11-all. Oklahoma would stay hot from there and reached 20 points first off an Arkansas service error. There was no stopping the Sooners down the stretch, and Oklahoma came out victorious in the second 25-17 to tie the match 1-1.

Set 3

The momentum was fully in Oklahoma’s favor in the third set as the Sooners grabbed a quick and commanding 7-2 lead, which sent Arkansas to a timeout. The Hogs came within two at 8-6 off back-to-back kills from Sydney Maue, but the Sooners rattled off four straight points and doubled up their lead. Arkansas finally got a pair of points to reach double digits, but Oklahoma ended it on a huge 6-2 run and took the third 25-12.

Set 4

With their backs against the wall, the Razorbacks kept it close in the fourth set and answered each of Oklahoma’s threats with a kill from Lawson. Oklahoma briefly took the lead at 11-10, but Arkansas managed to reclaim it for a little bit longer. The Sooners then went up 17-15 and while the Hogs did come within one, a pair of Oklahoma kills pushed its advantage to three. Arkansas made it tricky with two late points, but ran out out of time as the Sooners won the third 25-20 and the match 3-1.

Up Next

Arkansas will appear in the Allstate SEC Volleyball Tournament next week in Savannah, Ga. The event is returning after a 20-year hiatus. The Hogs will be seeded No. 16, and will face either Auburn, Oklahoma or Mississippi State in the opening match of the tournament on Friday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network.

More Information

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