FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In their highest-attended home opener ever, the Razorbacks got the 2023 slate off to a hot start as they defeated Michigan State 25-19, 25-16 and 25-10 for a sweep in their first match of the season.

Graduate outside hitter Jill Gillen led the Hogs with 14 kills on 37 swings and put up a career high three solo blocks. Senior Taylor Head hit a team high .345 and registered a double-double with 13 kills and team-high 12 digs, and junior setter Hannah Hogue also had a double-double with 32 assists and 10 digs.

It was Arkansas’ first match against a Big Ten team since 2019, and first win over a Big Ten team since 2018. The match was the fourth-highest attendance ever, with 1,717 fans at Barnhill Arena.

Set 1

The Hogs used a three-point run early which included an ace from Gillen and a kill from senior Maggie Cartwright and went up 6-2. Arkansas then scored six of the next 10 and forced Michigan State to take a timeout down 12-7. The Razorbacks never let up and doubled the lead plus one with a pair of kills from Gillen at 17-8. The Spartans regrouped a bit and eventually came within five, but a service error handed the set 25-19 to the home team.

Set 2

The Spartans kept things closer in the second, but Arkansas began to pull away with a three-point run with two blocks that made it 9-5 Hogs. Michigan State took a timeout and came within two, but the Hogs found a rhythm and strung together four straight points, bookended with kills by Head and Gillen, which made the score 15-9. Arkansas maintained control after that and reached 20 points first off a Spartan service error. Kills by Head and junior transfer Sania Petties pushed it to set point, and Michigan State added one, but Gillen slammed the door 25-16 and put the Razorbacks up 2-0 in the match.

Set 3

Arkansas got off to a blazing start in the third and two service aces by Hogue helped the Hogs jump out to an early 6-1 lead. Michigan State attempted to right the ship with a timeout, but Arkansas stifled any chances the Spartans had and went up 11-4 off a Head kill. The Spartans huddled again, but it was all Hogs from there. They led by 10 at 17-7 and 18-8 with kills from Cartwright and junior middle Zoi Evans, respectively. Arkansas continued to pour it on and scored three more to make it 21-8. The Spartans tacked on two more, but the Razorbacks closed the match with three straight points, including the dagger from Head at 25-10.

Up Next

The Volley Hogs return to action and close out the Razorback Classic with a 2 p.m. match against Tulsa on Sunday. It will be streamed live on SEC Network+.