UMBC

Freshman Paige Miller recorded 23 assists against Arkansas

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Playing against its first SEC opponent in 15 years, the UMBC volleyball team could not keep up with Arkansas, as the Razorbacks swept the Retrievers, 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-7), Friday afternoon in the opening contest of the Adidas/Michigan Challenge at Cliff Keen Arena.

Sophomore outside hitter Hannah Schmidt (Catonsville, Md./Mount de Sales) led the Retrievers (2-4) with a team-high seven kills while junior libero Ali Goc (Oshawa, Ontario/R.S. McLaughlin) recorded eight digs and classmate Kat Lincalis (Halethorpe, Md./Towson) picked up four digs.

Arkansas (5-0) used a balanced attack throughout the evening as seniors Roslandy Acosta and Jasmine Norton recorded 13 and 11 kills, respectively.  Junior setter Raymariely Santos recorded a match-best 33 for the Razorbacks.

It was a cagey opening to the match in the first set as the two teams traded the lead twice and were tied four times, the last at 4-4, following a kill by freshman setter Paige Miller (Reading, Pa./Schuylkill Valley).  Arkansas then ran off six consecutive points to open up a six point lead, one the Hogs would not relinquish.  The Retrievers got back to within four at 11-7, following a ball handling error, but could not get any closer as Arkansas took the opening frame, 25-16.

After the Razorbacks continued their momentum into the second set to take an early 3-1 lead, UMBC fought back with four straight points to take the lead, 5-3, on a kill by Schmidt.  The squads then traded the lead twice before Arkansas once again pulled away, building a five-point cushion, 19-14.  The Black and Gold pushed back, however, and cut the lead just two, 19-17, with three straight points.  The Razorback then held off another charge to take set two, 25-20, for a 2-0 set lead.

In set three, Arkansas proved to be too much for UMBC, using a 12-0 run to jump out to a 22-5 lead.  The Retrievers inched back with a kill from freshman Sherelle Walker (New Freedom, Pa./Susquehannock), but it was not enough as the Razorbacks took the third set, 25-7.

UMBC returns to the court on Saturday morning to take on tournament host and No. 22-ranked Michigan at 11 a.m. before finishing the weekend against Central Michigan at 5 p.m.

DAWG BITES

-           This was the first ever meeting between UMBC and Arkansas in volleyball.

-          The Retrievers are now 0-3 all-time against SEC opponents (0-1 vs. Alabama; 0-1 vs. Arkansas; 0-1 vs. Auburn).

-          UMBC failed to have a player in double-digit kills for the first time this season.