University of Tennessee Athletics
Saturday, September 25
Knoxville
4 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Arkansas
Volleyball Preview: Arkansas
September 24, 2021 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Conference play opens this weekend for the 21st-ranked Lady Vol volleyball team as they play host to Arkansas Saturday and Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena. First serve Saturday is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET, with a noon first serve on deck for Sunday.
For fans planning to attend, note that Tennessee's clear-bag policy will be in effect again this season.
Though not required for entry to Thompson-Boling Arena or movement throughout the seating bowl, facial coverings are encouraged for arena patrons. For a full outline of match-day arena policies, click HERE.
BROADCAST INFO
Saturday's match will be available to stream on SEC Network+ or through the ESPN App, while Sunday's matchup will air live on SEC Network. Andy Brock (play-by-play) and Heather Harrington (color) are on the call Saturday afternoon.
Matt Schick (play-by-play) and Jenny Hazelwood (color) will call the action Sunday.
Live stats are provided and can be found by visiting the volleyball schedule page on UTsports.com.
ENTERING SEC PLAY
Tennessee stands at 8-2 on the year as it begins conference play. That is the best record over the last six seasons for the Lady Vols in non-conference action.
In its first 10 matches of the season, UT has faced three top-10 opponents. As of Sept. 24, UT only has two more matches against ranked opponents – Oct. 27 vs. No. 7 Kentucky and Nov. 4 at No. 17 Florida. Both Ole Miss and South Carolina appear on UT's schedule and are currently receiving votes.
2021 also marks the first time in the Eve Rackham Watt era that Tennessee opens conference play at home.
GOOD NUMBERS
Entering the weekend, Tennessee ranks first in the Southeastern Conference in kills per set (14.85), assists per set (13.38) and blocks per set (2.82). The Lady Vols also rank second in hitting percentage at .289.
Nationally, those numbers all appear in the top-15. UT is fourth in the nation in kills per set and assists per set, while being listed at No. 12 in hitting percentage and 13th in blocks per set.
ATTACKING OPTIONS
It didn't take long for Lily Felts, Morgahn Fingall and Breana Runnels to display their attacking potency as the trio combined for 109 of Tennessee's 142 kills during the season's first weekend.
The threesome has not slowed down since as they have totaled 344 of UT's 505 kills. Felts, Fingall and Runnels also account for 856 of the Lady Vols' 1,192 attacks.
BLOCK PARTY
Ava Bell and Danielle Mahaffey have proven to be a solid pairing in the middle of the Tennessee lineup. With Bell and Mahaffey standing tall in the middle, Tennessee leads the SEC in blocks/set at 2.82. The average is the 13th-best in the nation. The duo are both ranked in the top-10 in the conference in blocks/set with Bell coming in fourth (1.35) and Mahaffey ninth (1.20).
WINDICATORS
This season, Tennessee is 6-0 when it hits .250 or better, and during Eve Rackham Watt's three seasons on Rocky Top, UT is 42-3 when it reaches the .250 or better mark. Under Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are 46-5 when they win the second set.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS
2021 Record: 10-2 (1-0 SEC)
Series Record: UT leads 23-21
Last Meeting: March. 14, 2021 – A four-set win for Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Key Player/Stat: Gracie Ryan runs the show for the Razorbacks out of her setter position, averaging 11.44 assists per set. That mark makes her the SEC leader and ranks her fifth in the nation. Jillian Gillen and Taylor Head receive most of the attacking options with Gillen taking 535 swings through 12 matches and Head taking 410.
Tennessee will be the second ranked opponent Arkansas has faced this season. The Hogs previously faced No. 18 Georgia Tech, falling in three sets.
UP NEXT
UT continues its homestand Wednesday, Sept. 29 as the Auburn Tigers come to Knoxville. First serve Wednesday is slated for 8 p.m. ET. The match can also be seen on SEC Network.
For fans planning to attend, note that Tennessee's clear-bag policy will be in effect again this season.
Though not required for entry to Thompson-Boling Arena or movement throughout the seating bowl, facial coverings are encouraged for arena patrons. For a full outline of match-day arena policies, click HERE.
BROADCAST INFO
Saturday's match will be available to stream on SEC Network+ or through the ESPN App, while Sunday's matchup will air live on SEC Network. Andy Brock (play-by-play) and Heather Harrington (color) are on the call Saturday afternoon.
Matt Schick (play-by-play) and Jenny Hazelwood (color) will call the action Sunday.
Live stats are provided and can be found by visiting the volleyball schedule page on UTsports.com.
ENTERING SEC PLAY
Tennessee stands at 8-2 on the year as it begins conference play. That is the best record over the last six seasons for the Lady Vols in non-conference action.
In its first 10 matches of the season, UT has faced three top-10 opponents. As of Sept. 24, UT only has two more matches against ranked opponents – Oct. 27 vs. No. 7 Kentucky and Nov. 4 at No. 17 Florida. Both Ole Miss and South Carolina appear on UT's schedule and are currently receiving votes.
2021 also marks the first time in the Eve Rackham Watt era that Tennessee opens conference play at home.
GOOD NUMBERS
Entering the weekend, Tennessee ranks first in the Southeastern Conference in kills per set (14.85), assists per set (13.38) and blocks per set (2.82). The Lady Vols also rank second in hitting percentage at .289.
Nationally, those numbers all appear in the top-15. UT is fourth in the nation in kills per set and assists per set, while being listed at No. 12 in hitting percentage and 13th in blocks per set.
ATTACKING OPTIONS
It didn't take long for Lily Felts, Morgahn Fingall and Breana Runnels to display their attacking potency as the trio combined for 109 of Tennessee's 142 kills during the season's first weekend.
The threesome has not slowed down since as they have totaled 344 of UT's 505 kills. Felts, Fingall and Runnels also account for 856 of the Lady Vols' 1,192 attacks.
BLOCK PARTY
Ava Bell and Danielle Mahaffey have proven to be a solid pairing in the middle of the Tennessee lineup. With Bell and Mahaffey standing tall in the middle, Tennessee leads the SEC in blocks/set at 2.82. The average is the 13th-best in the nation. The duo are both ranked in the top-10 in the conference in blocks/set with Bell coming in fourth (1.35) and Mahaffey ninth (1.20).
WINDICATORS
This season, Tennessee is 6-0 when it hits .250 or better, and during Eve Rackham Watt's three seasons on Rocky Top, UT is 42-3 when it reaches the .250 or better mark. Under Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are 46-5 when they win the second set.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS
2021 Record: 10-2 (1-0 SEC)
Series Record: UT leads 23-21
Last Meeting: March. 14, 2021 – A four-set win for Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Key Player/Stat: Gracie Ryan runs the show for the Razorbacks out of her setter position, averaging 11.44 assists per set. That mark makes her the SEC leader and ranks her fifth in the nation. Jillian Gillen and Taylor Head receive most of the attacking options with Gillen taking 535 swings through 12 matches and Head taking 410.
Tennessee will be the second ranked opponent Arkansas has faced this season. The Hogs previously faced No. 18 Georgia Tech, falling in three sets.
UP NEXT
UT continues its homestand Wednesday, Sept. 29 as the Auburn Tigers come to Knoxville. First serve Wednesday is slated for 8 p.m. ET. The match can also be seen on SEC Network.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballEverything Orange S3 | Hayden Kubik (Volleyball)
Friday, December 05
VB | Eve Rackham Watt Media Availability (12.2.25)
Tuesday, December 02
VB | Hayden Kubik Media Availability (12.2.25)
Tuesday, December 02
VB | Caroline Kerr Media Availability (12.2.25)
Tuesday, December 02
