Crimson Tide Volleyball Loses Nailbiter at Arkansas
10/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Alabama volleyball team went toe-to-toe in a four-game barnburner with Arkansas on Friday night in Barnhill Arena falling 3-1 (31-33, 30-24, 27-30, 33-35) in their SEC Western Division opener.
The Tide, who falls to 0-11 all-time in Barnhill, battled from the opening serve but came up just a little short against the team predicted to win the SEC West this season. Bama is now 6-8 overall and 1-2 in SEC play while the Lady Razorbacks improve to 11-4 and 4-0.
"This was an absolutely amazing college volleyball match," said UA head coach Judy Green. "If we could have passed the ball just a fraction of percentage better tonight we could have forced a different outcome. I have to give Arkansas credit though because they made plays when they had to make them."
Alabama junior Erin Heffner matched a season high by hammering out 23 kills to lead the Tide attack. Heffner also was the team's top defender finishing with 13 digs to earn her fourth double-double of the season.
Game one was a back-and-forth affair with both teams taking their turn in the lead. Neither team held more than a three-point advantage at any point in the frame. Alabama took a 27-24 advantage and looked ready to close out the game but Arkansas rallied with three straight points to knot the score. The Lady 'Backs had the first opportunity to win the game, but Bama fought off that chance and even earned a chance of their own. Arkansas fended off the Tide's opportunity and were able to hold on for the 33-31 win.
In game two, Alabama took a 12-7 advantage thanks to an early 10-3 run. The Tide maintained a five-point edge until a late charge by the Lady Razorbacks trimmed the margin to only two (25-23). UA outscored Arkansas 5-1 from that point to capture game two, 30-24, and even the match at one game.
The Crimson Tide continued to control the tempo in game three holding a lead as large as four points (22-18). With Alabama serving at 26-24, Arkansas scrapped to earn a point on the match's best rally and used that momentum to score five of the next six points and earn the 30-27 win.
The Lady 'Backs late charge in game three continued to spark them in the fourth stanza as they jumped out to an early lead. A determined Tide squad refused to go away eventually gaining a lead (12-11) of their own. Arkansas answered with a 6-1 run to push back in front. Bama continued to battle back time and again finally using a 5-0 spurt to tie the score at 23. From that point, the match settled into a sideout war that the Arkansas outlasted the Tide in for the 35-33 win. Alabama fought off five match point chances for the Lady 'Backs before dropping the final point.
In addition to Heffner, Bama's Jennifer Bibber (14) and Kory Tull (10) also reached double digit kills in the contest. Erin Price handed out 45 assists on the night and tallied 10 digs while Julie Farley paced the UA net patrol with five blocks.
For Arkansas, All-SEC middle blocker Sara Kincaid led the way with a match high 24 kills and five blocks. Lady 'Back freshman Denitza Koleva recorded a career high 16 kills to help the Arkansas cause.
Alabama continues its SEC Western Division road trip on Sunday when the Tide visits Baton Rouge, La., to face LSU at 1:30 p.m.
Alabama (6-7, 1-1) 31-30-27-33
Arkansas (10-4, 3-0) 33-24-30-35
