Little Rock Drops Five-Set Heartbreaker at UT Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas – Four Trojans posted double-figure kills – including career-highs by Nicole Medlin and Zanobia Willis – but Little Rock dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker at UT Arlington Saturday night.
 
The two teams traded the first four sets before a wild pivotal fifth set was marked by massive runs on both sides. UT Arlington (9-14, 7-7 Sun Belt) started the final frame on a 7-0 run before Little Rock (14-13, 5-10) responded with a 7-0 run of its own to tie the set.
 
UTA responded with three more consecutive points before Willis ended the short run with a kill, but the Mavericks would keep the Trojans at bay the rest of the set, fighting back kills by Medlin and Jansen for the win. Set scores were 24-26, 25-22, 25-21, 17-25 and 15-12.
 
Medlin recorded 10 of her career-high 15 kills in the final two sets and added five blocks. Meanwhile Nedima Kamberovic was credited with a career-high six blocks while Willis had seven blocks (one solo) to go along with her career-high 12 kills.
 
Laura Jansen (13 kills, 12 digs) and Alyssa Nayar (46 assists, 19 digs) both recorded double-doubles for Little Rock (14-13, 5-10). Jansen led all players with a season-high four service aces.
 
UT Arlington was led by 28 kills off the hand of Briana Brown while Alli Wells recorded 29 digs.
 
Little Rock wraps up the regular season at Arkansas State on Tuesday.
 
Behind the Box Score

• Livia Kimura clinched the first set with an ace.
• Little Rock out-blocked UTA in the second set, 5-2.
• Laure Jansen served an ace to clinch the fourth set win.
• Little Rock ended the fourth set on a 4-0 run.
• Nicole Medlin put down eight kills in the fourth set.
• The two teams traded 7-0 runs in the fifth set.

 
Leaders by the Numbers
Kills: 15, Nicole Medlin
Assists: 46, Alyssa Nayar
Service Aces: 4, Laura Jansen
Digs: 23, Leigh Maher
Blocks: 7, Zanobia Willis
 
Notables

• Little Rock is now 3-2 in five-set matches this season.
• With the 26-24 win in the opening set, the Trojans are now 7-6 in sets that go to extra points and 7-12 in sets that are determined by two points.
• Little Rock has recorded 10-plus blocks in four of the past five matches including in tonight's match.
• Nicole Medlin recorded a career-high 15 kills in the match.
• With 13 kills and 12 digs, Laura Jansen recorded her 31^st career double-double.
• Laura Jansen recorded double-digit kills for the 23^rd time this season.
• Nedima Kamberovic recorded a career-high six blocks.
• With 46 assists and 19 digs, Alyssa Nayar recorded her 14^th career double-double and seventh of the season.
• Zanobia Willis put down a career-high 12 kills.
• UTA now leads the all-time series, 22-14.

 
For the latest information on Little Rock Volleyball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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