University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
17-4 (3-3)
Arkansas
13-4 (3-2)
Vols Upset No. 22 Arkansas at TBA
October 11, 2015 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Behind 15 kills by sophomore Kendra Turner, the Tennessee Volunteers upset No. 22 Arkansas 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 27-25, 25-20) on Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
For the Vols (17-4, 3-3 SEC), the victory represents the team's first over a top 25 team since beating Florida 3-2 in 2012 and snaps a two-match losing streak. Arkansas (13-4, 3-2) has now lost two consecutive matches.
After dropping the first set, the Vols played well at critical moments to win the last three tight sets, even saving a set point in the third.
"What I've noticed about this team is that we play hard all the time," Tennessee head coach Rob Patrick said. "That's something that carries over match to match. We don't always play as well as we want to, but this is where we put everything together. We took care of the ball when we could. We took care of the ball in passing, in our serves and in our hitting."
Playing in just her sixth match of the year after returning from a foot injury, Turner had her best match back on the court with 15 kills, 12 of them coming in the final two sets.
"Kendra is starting to get back into volleyball shape," Patrick said. "Her timing has been off and she hasn't played much the last three months. We're glad to have her back, and she makes a difference."
Turner was part of a varied attack led by senior setter Lexi Dempsey. Junior Raina Hembry and sophomore Kanisha Jimenez had 12 kills each and junior Bri Holmes added 11 kills. Dempsey finished with her team-leading ninth double-double of the season with 47 assists and 12 digs.
Arkansas pulled away early in the first set, opening the match with a 10-5 lead. The Vols cut the lead to one point at 12-11 on an error by Arkansas' Pilar Victoria, but Arkansas went on a 8-1 run to retake momentum at 20-12. Breana Jones eventually recorded a kill to close out the set, 25-18.
The Vols made their move late in the second set. Tennessee took a 20-19 lead on a Razorback service error and won the next two points, going up 22-19 on an ace by Dempsey. Arkansas staved off two set points but Turner wrapped up the set with a kill to seal the set at 25-22.
The third set also went down to the wire. Savannah Voelzke recorded a kill to give Arkansas a set point at 24-23, but Turner saved it with a kill a point later. Arkansas saved a set point of its own but the Vols eventually took the set 27-25 on another kill by Turner and an attack error by the Razorbacks.
Freshman Erica Treiber put Tennessee ahead in the fourth set 16-15 and Holmes followed with three consecutive kills to push the Vols ahead 20-16. Treiber set up match point with an ace at 24-19. Turner ended the match with kill No. 15 to end the match at 25-20.
Tennessee hit .613 in the final set and .296 for the match. The Razorbacks hit .285 throughout the match.
Arkansas out-dug the Vols 58-53. Junior Bridgette Villano led Tennessee with 14 digs.
