The No. 11 Razorback volleyball team had another successful road test on Friday, going to Tuscaloosa to sweep through Alabama in straight sets, 25-15, 25-16, 25-21.
The Razorbacks, who are now 7-2 in road matches, already defeated the Crimson Tide at home on Oct. 15 for the season sweep.
With four regular-season matches remaining, the 22 victories is the most in a season for Arkansas Head Coach Jason Watson, since he took the reins in 2016. It is also the most wins for the program since it went 22-10 in 2012.
The Razorback offense had a stellar showing against the Tide, with a .422 hitting percentage – the second-best for Arkansas all season – and five players hitting over .400.
Graduate outside hitter Jill Gillen had a team-high 15 kills on 31 swings, for a .452 hitting clip, and also had seven digs and a solo block. Junior setter Hannah Hogue led the offensive attack with 43 assists and 11 digs, for her 11th double-double of the season.
Arkansas jumped on Alabama early in the first set, taking a quick 8-3 lead. A four-point run, including three kills and a block, pushed the Razorbacks’ lead to 20-8. Back-to-back kills from Taylor Head and Gillen pushed it to set point, before the Tide rattled off three straight points. But a kill from junior Sania Petties put the first set away, 25-15.
Alabama grabbed the early momentum in Set 2, taking a 7-4 advantage, before Arkansas put together four straight points. The got a spark with an Hogue ace, which gave the Razorbacks a 9-7 lead. A pair of Gillen kills then increased the Hogs’ lead to 13-8. The Tide couldn’t get more than one point at a time, as the Razorbacks boosted the lead to 23-13. A kill by graduate Maggie Cartwright, along with an attack error, ended the set 25-16 in favor of the Hogs.
The Tide continued to put up a fight in the third set, staying within striking distance. After Arkansas eased out to a 17-14 lead, Alabama kept the pressure on. But three straight points on kills from Gillen and Zoi Evans pushed it to set point for the Hogs. Bama bounced back with two points, but Cartwright quickly slammed the door at 25-21, to secured the match sweep.
Arkansas hits the road again on Wednesday to face Ole Miss at 8 p.m., broadcast live on the SEC Network. The Razorbacks will then return to Barnhill Arena on Nov. 19, to host Florida at 3 p.m.