Volleyball Preps for Spring Opener versus Kentucky

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team has anxiously awaited the second half of its less-than-ordinary 2020-21 season and the day has finally arrived. The Razorbacks are slated to host No. 4 Kentucky this Friday and Saturday (Jan. 29-30) at Barnhill Arena for the Hogs’ opening weekend.

Friday night’s match begins at 5 p.m. and will be available for fans to watch on SEC Network+ while Saturday afternoon’s match will start at 2:30 p.m. and will air live on the SEC Network.

Arkansas finished the fall with a record of 6-2 to record the most SEC wins since 2017 and the best SEC record through eight matches since 2003. The Hogs swept Ole Miss and a ranked Texas A&M team in Barnhill Arena to stay undefeated in Fayetteville and finish the fall 4-0 at home.

After adding freshman Jordyn Gates to the roster in the fall, the Razorbacks welcomed mid-year enrollee Hannah Hogue to the gym this January. With Hogue, the Hogs have great depth at the setter position, primarily running a 5-1 with Gracie Ryan in the one spot. Hogue is a two-time All-Arkansas Preps winner and helped Southside High School to back-to-back Class 6A state finals in 2018 and 2019.

Arkansas will be facing a veteran Wildcat squad that returns top seniors Gabby Curry and Madison Lilley for 2021. Curry is the two-time defending SEC Libero of the Year and Lilley has been an All-American in all three of her seasons at Kentucky. The Wildcats were the only undefeated team in the 2020 fall season and visit Fayetteville as three-time defending SEC champions.

University of Arkansas students in attendance at Friday’s match will have the chance to win an Apple TV. Entry is free for U of A students with their ID at the Stadium Drive entrance. All Hog fans at Saturday’s match will be entered to win a Franklin Sports Professional Volleyball Set complete with regulation net and all necessary equipment.

Game 1 | Friday, Jan. 29 at 5 p.m. | SEC Network+ | Live Scoring

Game 2 | Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2:30 p.m. | SEC Network | Live Scoring

For those fans planning on joining us in Barnhill Arena this weekend, here are some reminders about what is new to our athletic facilities in 2021.

In consultation with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), we will implement several measures to make your gameday experience as healthy and safe as possible including:

• All event staff and employees will wear face coverings at all times
• All guests will be required to wear face coverings (over the nose and mouth) from the time they get in line to enter the stadium until the time of exiting.
• Lines will be queued at all gates, concession stands and merchandise locations, following social distance guidelines with 6-feet distancing markers placed throughout the venue and strictly enforced.
• Contactless transactions will be introduced for concessions and merchandise purchases.
• Handwashing/Hand sanitizing stations will be added throughout facilities to supplement restroom use.
• Extensive cleaning and sanitation efforts including deep cleaning prior to games and disinfecting of high-frequency touchpoints throughout the event.
• Mobile-only ticketing to provide a contactless experience at gates and in the stands.
• ALL tickets must be purchased ahead of time, there will be NO ticket sales at the arena.
• Groups wanting to purchase tickets should Telephone receiver call the ticket office at (479) 575-5151.
• Reduced capacity in venue, based upon current state Phase II social distancing standards.

Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Volleyball. You can also find the Hogs on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Volleyball) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackVB).