Bulls Battle Hard as they Fall to the Hands of No. 16 Arkansas

Friday, September 15

Queens, N.Y.

1 p.m.

8-2,0-0MAC

No. 16 Arkansas

8-2,0-0SEC

Buffalo

Arkansas

Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UBBulls.com

Bulls Battle Hard as they Fall to the Hands of No. 16 Arkansas

9/15/2023 5:44:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

QUEENS, N.Y. – The University at Buffalo women's volleyball team (8-2, 0-0 MAC) lost their second match of the season at the hand of the nationally ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (8-2, 0-0 SEC) in straight sets.

In the opening match of the Red Strom Invitational, Leigh secured her sixth double-double of the season with 16 assists and 11 digs, both team highs. Maurine Calande, Courtney Okwara, and Abby Leigh each finished with five kills.

The Bulls took a 3-1 lead in the first set off a kill from Maurine Calande and service ace by Katrin Trrebichavska. UB kept it a close set as it was tied at six, but the Razorbacks started to pull away. Arkansas took a 13-7 lead off a 6-1 run, UB called their first timeout. The Bulls struggled to find their groove as the Razorbacks took the set, 25-14. Arkansas outhit UB, .462 to .179.

In the second set, UB gave Arkansas a run for their money. There were eight lead changes and ties in the set, the most in the match. Down 9-6, the Bulls went on a 4-0 run with Trebichavska serving. This included one ace in the run and a kill by Calande. After trading points, the Bulls led 16-15. This was the final lead the Bulls held in the match as they kept it close to finish the set. Arkansas eventually won the set, 25-19.

The Razorbacks had their highest attack percentage of the match in the third set at .464. The Bulls ran out of steam as Arkansas had 17 kills to UB's 9. Tied at two was the closest the Bulls got to the Razorbacks. UB tired to keep pace, but Arkansas pulled away to win the set, 25-15.

"Arkansas is a very good team with a plenty of experience, stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "They put a lot of pressure on us with their serve and attack right from the start. We were inconsistent with our first touch and that caused us issues throughout the match. We learned a lot and are looking forward towards our next match where we can put those lessons to work."

The Bulls are back in action tomorrow at 11 a.m. against the Columbia Lions (2-5, 0-0 Ivy). They'll play St. John's (7-2, 0-0 BIG EAST) at 5 p.m. to close out their competition.