Arkansas volleyball set for return to NCAAs

Senior Chanell Clark-Bibbs sends the ball over the net on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, during practice inside Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas volleyball team struggled with consistency a year ago, but a healthy group and strong back-row defense could lead to big things this season for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas coach Robert Pulliza said his team had trouble being consistent a year ago because the Razorbacks couldn't keep the same lineup on the floor with a rash of injuries. Arkansas finished 15-16 overall, but was still in position to make its third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. But the Razorbacks won just four of their last 12 matches.

2015 Arkansas Volleyball Schedule

Date^Opponent^Time

Aug. 28^McNeese State^7 p.m.

Aug. 29^Army^11 a.m.

Aug. 29^Kansas^7 p.m.

Sept. 4^Louisiana Tech (at Edwardsville, Ill.)^11 a.m.

Sept. 4^at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville^7 p.m.

Sept. 5^Northern Kentucky (at Edwardsville, Ill.)^7 p.m.

Sept. 11^Northwestern State^7 p.m.

Sept 12^Southeast Missouri^11 a.m.

Sept. 12^Texas-Arlington^7 p.m.

Sept. 18^at Creighton^6 p.m.

Sept. 19^Kansas State (at Omaha, Neb.)^11 a.m.

Sept. 19^Wisconsin (at Omaha, Neb.)^8 p.m.

Sept. 23^at LSU*^8 p.m.

Sept. 27^at Texas A&M*^1:30 p.m.

Oct. 4^Florida*^3 p.m.

Oct. 7^at Kentucky*^7 p.m.

Oct. 11^at Tennessee*^12:30 p.m.

Oct. 18^Ole Miss*^4 p.m.

Oct. 23^at Florida*^6 p.m.

Oct. 25^at South Carolina*^12:30 p.m.

Oct. 30^Auburn*^7 p.m.

Nov. 1^Alabama*^2 p.m.

Nov. 6^at Ole Miss*^6:30 p.m.

Nov. 8^at Mississippi State*^1 p.m.

Nov. 11^LSU*^7 p.m.

Nov. 15^Georgia*^1:30 p.m.

Nov. 18^Missouri*^5 p.m.

Nov. 22^at Auburn*^1:30 p.m.

Nov. 25^South Carolina*^7 p.m.

Nov. 28^Texas A&M*^1:30 p.m.

  • denotes Southeastern Conference matches

"We played 18 matches without our lineup, that's more than half," Pulliza said. "We just couldn't get a consistent lineup out there enough to be consistent."

The Razorbacks open the season by hosting McNeese State at 7 p.m. Friday in Barnhill Arena as art of the Arkansas Invitational. They finish the weekend by facing Army at 11 a.m. Saturday morning and then Kansas at 7 p.m.

In addition to his team coming into the season healthy, Pulliza said the serve reception is as good as its been since he's been at Arkansas. Senior Monica Bollinger, sophomore Kori Ortiz and freshman Okiana Valle form a strong defense.

"We've had other great players," Pulliza said. "But from the standpoint of serve receivers, this is the deepest and best corps we've had. I'm really excited about our corps of littles."

Freshman Kimi Davis of Rogers will also see some action in the back-row, Pulliza said.

That's huge since the Razorbacks' top returning player is middle hitter Chanell Clark-Bibbs. The 6-1 senior earned All-Southeastern Conference honors last year and also preseason accolades this year. She ranked second on the team in kills, but a finished with a robust .337 hitting percentage. Clark-Bibbs also ranked eighth in the SEC with 1.01 blocks per set.

"We have to be able to pass the ball to get it to Chanell," Pulliza said. "It's important to get her opportunities to swing."

Clark-Bibbs prefers to let her play do the talking, but also understands she must become more of a vocal leader as a senior.

"I feel like I've grown to become more vocal," Clark-Bibbs said. "This is my last year and there's a little more urgency. I think it was hard at first. You kind of worry about what the response will be from the team. But I've put myself out there and I got a good response.

"I feel like there's more urgency with our team. We've been here putting in the work all summer."

The Razorbacks return plenty of experience, but must replace standout left-side hitter Meredith Hays, who was an honorable mention All-America. Pulliza expects 5-11 junior Pillar Victoria, who transferred from Texas, to step into that outside hitter slot.

Pulliza got a chance to see Victoria play over the summer as part of the Puerto Rico National Team. Pulliza served as an assistant coach for the national team, which advanced to the quarterfinals of the Pan American Games.

Sports on 08/27/2015