After breaking into the Top 10 for the first time in program history last week, the No. 10 Arkansas volleyball team split a pair of road matches against Top 20 opponents this weekend.
The Razorbacks (18-3, 8-1 SEC) defeated No. 12 Tennessee (16-3, 7-2) on Friday night, 25-27, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20, earning their first win in Knoxville in nine seasons. On Sunday, the Hogs dropped a five-set heart-breaker at No. 20 Kentucky (10-7, 8-1), 25-16, 16-25, 22-25, 25-19, 10-15.
After dropping the first set to Tennessee, Arkansas stormed back with three straight set wins to capture the match victory.
Senior Taylor Head had a career night for the Hogs against the Volunteers, tallying a personal-best 24 kills on 58 swings for a .362 hitting percentage. She also added 21 digs for her 12th double-double of the season.
Junior setter Hannah Hogue had two of Arkansas’ four aces on the night, while also posting a double-double, with 49 assists and 28 digs. That is the most single-match digs by a Razorback this season.
The Razorbacks fell behind Kentucky 2-1 in sets, before taking the fourth set, 25-19, to send it to the fifth set. The Wildcats were able to eek out a 15-10 win to claim the match inside legendary Rupp Arena.
It ended Arkansas’ 16-match win streak, and was the Hogs’ first loss since August, when they fell to No. 1 Wisconsin in consecutive matches.
Head came up big for the Razorbacks yet again, with her second consecutive 24-kill match, equaling her career-best on Friday. Her team-high 18 digs also gave her a double-double for the 13th time this season.
Graduate outside hitter Jill Gillen also posted a double-double with 23 kills and 15 digs, adding a team-high five blocks and a team-high four service aces.
Arkansas will continue its lengthy road stretch with three more conference matches away from home this week, beginning at South Carolina (8-10, 2-7) on Friday, the at Florida (13-4, 5-3) on Sunday, followed by a trip to Georgia (13-7, 4-4) on Nov. 1.
The Razorbacks will finally return to Barnhill Arena on Nov. 5 to host Mississippi State (10-9, 3-6) at 3 p.m.