Razorbacks Volleyball Team Prepares for NCAA 1st Round

FAYETTEVILLE – For the second-consecutive year, the University of Arkansas will begin its postseason campaign in Lawrence, Kan. The Razorbacks volleyball team will face Creighton Friday in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. First serve of the match is scheduled for 4 p.m. (CT) at Allen Fieldhouse. A free video stream of all NCAA matches will be available at NCAA.com with addition coverage of the Lawrence site on ESPN3.com.

Arkansas received an at-large selection into this year’s 64-team field to mark back-to-back NCAA appearances under sixth-year head coach Robert Pulliza. Overall, the program is making its 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks enter the postseason with a 16-13 record.

“We’re excited to be in (the NCAA Tournament),” Pulliza said. “It’s a great accomplishment for the players and for the program. We’re looking forward to a great weekend. We got a tough draw but when you’re in the NCAA Tournament every draw is a tough draw. It’s an exciting time when you’re in the tournament.”

Friday’s match is just the second-ever meeting between Arkansas and Creighton. The only previous meeting between the two teams was a straight-set win for the Razorbacks in 2003. Creighton carries a 22-8 record this season and is ranked No. 2 in the NCAA at 3.02 blocks per set. The Bluejays finished second in the BIG EAST and were the conference tournament runners-up. The Lawrence sub-region also includes No. 14 national seed and 23rd-ranked Kansas and MVC Tournament champion Wichita State.

When all-conference honors were announced Monday, junior Meredith Hays was named to the 2013 All-SEC Team. She will begin NCAA play ranked 42nd in the country with 4.02 kills per set and 38th with 4.56 points per set. Senior libero Emily Helm enters Friday’s match six digs shy of ninth place on the program’s all-time list and 15 digs shy of 1,000 for her career. Senior Clarissa Pavey was also recognized this week as a member of the SEC Community Service Team.

In addition to this weekend’s video coverage, fans can follow along with live stats and interactive blog available through ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Friday’s match will also be broadcast live on KXUA 88.3 FM in Fayetteville. For more details including ticket information, visit the Tournament Central page at KUAthletics.com.

For more information on Arkansas volleyball, follow @RazorbackVB on Twitter.