Rippee Garners SEC Setter of the Week Honors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On the heels of an all-tournament selection at the season-opening Arkansas Classic, sophomore Rachel Rippee has been named the SEC Setter of the Week as announced by the league office Monday afternoon. During the three-match weekend, Rippee averaged an SEC-leading 11.80 assists per set and directed the Razorbacks’ offense to a .274 hitting percentage.

In the tournament finale against Utah State, Rippee dished out 46 assists in the straight-set victory and helped orchestrate Arkansas’ .422 hitting efficiency which ranks 10th on the program’s single-season list. Against CSU Bakersfield in the season opener, she had 39 assists and reached 1,000 career assists with her eighth helper of the match, and added 12 digs for a double-double. Rippee had 33 assists and set the team to a .366 hitting percentage in a sweep of ULM.

The Springfield, Mo., native also averaged 2.10 digs per set and had five service aces during the weekend including three in the opener against CSU Bakersfield. Rippee is one of three Razorbacks positioned in the SEC top 10 for aces per set. She is tied for eighth while teammates Krista Kolbinskie and Okiana Valle are tied for fourth through the opening weekend of the regular season.

With Rippee directing the offense, Arkansas ranks second in the SEC with 14.70 kills per set and fifth in the league with its .274 hitting percentage. Rippee is the second Razorback to win SEC Setter of the Week since the inception of the award in 2015, joining Adrien Wohlschlaeger who was a two-time recipient.

Offensive Outburst Leads to Arkansas Classic Title

The Razorbacks are 3-0 for the first time since 2014 after posting an undefeated weekend at the Arkansas Classic. Rippee and redshirt senior Pilar Victoria earned all-tournament accolades with Victoria picking up MVP honors after averaging 6.80 kills per set at a .406 clip. In addition to their offensive production, the Razorbacks limited their opponents to a .093 hitting percentage.

Arkansas returns to the floor Aug. 31 for day one of the K-State Invitational in Manhattan, Kan. The Razorbacks face a field that includes sixth-ranked Wisconsin, Syracuse and host Kansas State. Arkansas’ next home match is Sept. 5 against Oral Roberts at Barnhill Arena.

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