Standout Efforts Lift Victoria to SEC Weekly Honor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second time this season, junior Pilar Victoria have been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week as announced Monday by the league office. The Razorback outside hitter totaled 56 kills and a pair of double-double performances during the team’s home weekend against Auburn and Alabama.

The Caguas, Puerto Rico, native opened the weekend with 32 kills in the Razorbacks’ five-set win over Auburn in which the team trailed 0-2 and rallied for the victory. She completed the double-double with 10 digs. With Friday’s showing, Victoria tied the program record with her third 30-kill match of the season (Krystal Osborne, 1995). Her 34.5 points against Auburn represent the third-highest total in the SEC this season and the top mark in this conference for the weekend.

Victoria closed out the home stand with 24 kills and 14 digs against Alabama for her team-leading 12th double-double of the season. She now has 20 or more kills in 10 matches this year, seven of which have come against SEC opponents. During a rally in Sunday’s fifth set, Victoria rattled off six kills in an eight-point span to get Arkansas back in contention.

For the week, Victoria averaged 5.60 kills per set and 6.15 points per set to raise her SEC-leading numbers. She continues to lead the conference and rank among the top 10 nationally with 4.81 kills per set and 5.35 points per set this season. From the end line, Victoria debuted a jump serve against Auburn and Alabama which resulted in four aces to push her team-high total to 21 service winners this season.

Victoria, previously recognized this season after the first weekend of league play, is Arkansas’ first two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week since Jasmine Norton in 2011. Monday’s release also marks the Razorbacks’ fifth conference weekly honor of the season after two prior accolades for Adrien Wohlschlaeger (setter) and a selection for Okiana Valle (freshman).

The Razorbacks hit the road next weekend for matches at Ole Miss and Mississippi State with both matches streamed live on SEC Network+ and through the WatchESPN app. Arkansas’ next home match is Wednesday, Nov. 11, against LSU at Barnhill Arena. That midweek conference matchup will be televised on the SEC Network.

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