Nov. 21, 2003

The University of Arkansas swept LSU in three games (30-17, 30-28, 30-27) to secure a spot in the 2003 SEC Volleyball Tournament semifinals.

Sara Kincaid led Arkansas with 18 kills and four blocks. Setter Roberta Tarnauskaite notched team-highs in assists with 40, and digs with 10. Paula Castro also contributed 10 digs.

The second-seeded Lady ‘Backs cruised to a quick 10-2 lead in the first game as middle blockers Kincaid and Jennifer Haaser barricaded the net for Arkansas. Five unanswered points late in the game set the scene for Haaser’s game-winning kill.

The Kincaid/Haaser duo, along with fellow middle blocker Karla Crose buried the team’s first three kills in the second game, but LSU kept pace with the help of outside hitter Lauren Leaumont, who laid down a kill to tie the score 9-9, and later did the same to put the Tigers ahead 18-17. However, Kincaid came through with full force in the clutch, with a kill and an ace that reclaimed the Lady ‘Back lead at 27-27. Arkansas outside hitter Denitza Koleva and Leaumont traded punches with a kill apiece before two LSU errors secured game two for the Lady ‘Backs.

Game three saw the teams trade point for point, with neither squad ahead by more than three, until LSU spread its advantage to four points at 22-18. The Tigers stayed ahead all the way to 26-25, until Tarnauskaite strategically placed a tip into a Tiger hole. Kincaid added another kill before Koleva blasted a ball down the line and out of reach for the 30-27 win.