Tag: Jason Watson

Gillen leads 11th-ranked Hogs to volleyball sweep over Alabama

The No. 11 Razorbacks volleyball team now has its most wins in over a decade.

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.

No. 10 Arkansas volleyball picks up historic sweep over No. 19 Florida

No. 10 Arkansas volleyball made history once again with a huge victory over No. 19 Florida on Sunday afternoon.

Entering the matchup with No. 19 Florida, the No. 10 [autotag]Arkansas volleyball[/autotag] team had never beaten the Gators in Gainesville. In fact, the Hogs were just 3-50 all-time against Florida.

On Sunday afternoon, that all changed as Arkansas was able to defeat the Gators in straight sets for the first time under head coach [autotag]Jason Watson[/autotag].

The Hogs trailed early in the first set, but put together a ferocious comeback to win 25-19. In the second set, the Gators, once again, built a comfortable lead early on. However, Arkansas would not be denied as a five-point run gave them the fuel they needed to put Florida away, 25-20.

The third and final set was very back-and-forth up until the very end. Florida would not go away without a fight and tied it twice following the Hogs’ 22-21 lead. The Razorbacks would finally slam the door shut on any hopes for a Florida comeback with back-to-back kills from Jill Gillen and Taylor Head, to win the set 25-23 and the match 3-0.

With the win, Arkansas volleyball improves to 20-3 overall and 10-1 in SEC play. Next up for the Hogs is a trip to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. CT. The match will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

Arkansas volleyball to get 7 national TV games

The Razorbacks will face reigning Big Ten champions Wisconsin on the national stage on Aug, 30 and Aug. 31.

The Arkansas volleyball team’s 21 victories last season was the program’s most in 10 years. Now the Razorbacks will set out to improve on that mark in 2023, and will get to do so with some expanded national exposure.

Arkansas will play on national television seven times this season, with a slate featuring non-conference and SEC opponents. The televised matches will include showdowns with a pair of reigning conference champions, as well as three NCAA Tournament teams.

After opening the season at home against Michigan State on Aug. 25 and Tulsa on Aug 27, the Razorbacks will be nationally televised on back-to-back nights against 2022 Big Ten champion Wisconsin in Barnhill Arena. Their Aug. 30 match with the Badgers will be aired on the SEC Network, before the two teams face off the following night on ESPNU. Both matches will begin at 7 p.m.

The Hogs will open conference play on the SEC Network Sept. 22, hosting South Carolina at 7 p.m.

The Razorbacks are coming off their best season under 8th-year head coach Jason Watson, finishing 21-9 overall and 11-7 in the SEC. They defeated Utah State in the opener of the NCAA Tournament, before falling to No. 3 Oregon.

Conference matches not broadcast on linear television will be featured on SEC Network-Plus, while streaming information for non-conference contests will be announced by the university when available.

Arkansas Volleyball TV Schedule (All CT)

Aug. 30 vs. Wisconsin: SEC Network (7 p.m.)

Aug. 31 vs. Wisconsin: ESPNU (7 p.m.)

Sept. 22 vs. South Carolina: SEC Network (7 p.m.)

Sept. vs. Auburn: SEC Network (7 p.m.)

Oct. 15 vs. Alabama: SEC Network (3 p.m.)

Oct. 22 @ Kentucky: SEC Network (12 p.m.)

Nov. 15 @ Ole Miss: SEC Network (8 p.m.)