Volleyball Loses to Arkansas in Regular Season Finale

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (14-14, 6-12 SEC) lost to Arkansas (19-10, 10-8 SEC) in straight sets Friday night in the final match of the regular season. The Gamecocks enjoyed a 14-6 advantage in blocks, but were plagued throughout the game by unforced errors. Kyla Manning shined again in her final game in the Carolina Volleyball Center, hitting .333 with a game-high 18 kills.
 
SET ONE: The two sides battled through a marathon opening game, with nine ties overall and four lead changes in the final 10 points alone before the Razorbacks came out with a 32-30 win. It was a battle of attrition for both offenses; the Gamecocks finished with 16 kills but needed 49 swings to get them as Arkansas piled up 26 digs. On the other side of the net, the Razorbacks had 19 kills but 11 errors, thanks in large part to eight blocks from Carolina. Oby Anadi and Kiune Fletcher led the effort with four combo blocks together. 
 
The visitors led for most of the set, extending out to a 24-22 lead to set up their first set point chances. Riley Whitesides put away back-to-back kills to deny the win, and a solo block for Manning gave Carolina a set point opportunity at 25-24. The chance was denied, as was another opportunity at 27-26, and Arkansas finally sealed the win thanks to a pair of Gamecock errors.
 
SET TWO: Arkansas increased its advantage to 2-0 thanks to a big early run in the second set that ended with a 25-18 score. The SEC’s top serving team showed its skills, getting four aces in a 9-2 run to start the set and five overall. The Razorbacks led by as much as 10, 19-9, before a late rally from the Gamecocks, which had good offensive efficiency but not enough production. Arkansas finished with a 17-9 advantage in kills to go along with the five aces. 
 
SET THREE: The two teams again played beyond 25 points in the third, Arkansas closed the match with a 26-24 win. The visitors again claimed a healthy early lead at 12-7, but South Carolina was able to work the score back to 18-all to set up another tense finish. The teams traded points before the Gamecocks got their first lead of the set at 22-21 behind back-to-back kills from Manning and Ellie Ruprich. Arkansas answered with a pair of points and were able to cap the win with a block and its eighth service ace of the night to make it 26-24.
 
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With the regular season complete, the team now awaits its postseason fate. The NCAA tournament field will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 28 with a selection show on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m. The Gamecocks are hoping to hear their name called for the third time in the last four seasons.