State sports briefs

BASKETBALL

UA women announce 2014-2015 schedule

The Arkansas women’s basketball team released its 2014-2015 schedule Friday.

The Razorbacks, led by new Coach Jimmy Dykes, will face WNIT champion Rutgers on Dec. 7 in Fayetteville and Oklahoma on Dec. 21 at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Texas and Texas A&M play in the other game at the event.

Arkansas opens the season Nov. 14 against Nicholls State. The Razorbacks will play Iowa and Richmond in the Las Vegas Tournament on Nov. 28-29.

The Razorbacks begin SEC play Jan. 2 at Mississippi before returning home to Walton Arena to face Texas A&M on Jan. 4.

The SEC Tournament is March 4-8 at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock.

Donovan will speak at coaches clinic

Florida Coach Billy Donovan will be one of the featured speakers at the third annual Arkansas Basketball Coaches Clinic on Sept. 9 at the Hendrix College Wellness Athletic Center in Conway.

Donovan, who has been Florida’s head coach since 1996, has led the Gators to two national championships (2006 and 2007) and to four Final Four appearances. He has an overall record of 486-189 and a 451-169 record at Florida.

Donovan and UALR Coach Steve Shields will speak during the morning session (9 a.m.-noon). Kellie Harper, Missouri State’s women’s coach, will speak in the afternoon session (1:30-4:30 p.m.).

The attendance fee $15 for Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association members and $40 for non-members. Go to arbca.net to pay online or print off a copy of the registration form.

VOLLEYBALL

ASU drops two matches

Arkansas State opened its season Friday with two losses in the George Washington Invitational in Washington, D.C.

The Red Wolves lost 22-25, 25-27, 23-25 to George Washington and 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 18-25, 9-15 to North Dakota.

Sarah Kemp had 13 kills and Shelby Holmes had 10 kills against George Washington. Mallory Warrington added a team-high 37 assists and 12 digs.

Holmes led ASU with 21 kills against North Dakota. Drew Jones added 18 kills. Warrington recorded 59 assists and 20 digs.

UALR loses to Pacific

UALR lost 25-15, 25-19, 25-11 to Pacific on Friday night in the Pacific Bankers Classic in Stockton, Calif. Carolee Dillard had 10 kills and five blocks for the Trojans. Megan Mathis finished with 18 assists. The Trojans face Southern California at noon Central and Rider at 7 p.m. today.

UCA falls to Illinois State

Central Arkansas lost its opener to Illinois state 25-18, 22-25, 25-16, 25-20 on Friday night in the University of Oregon Invitational in Eugene, Ore. The Sugar Bears face Oregon at 11 a.m. Central today and Ohio State at 7 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Watson Chapel player improving

Watson Chapel Junior High football player Josh Pierce remained in stable condition Friday and was improving, Watson Chapel varsity coach Jared Dutton said.

Pierce collapsed Thursday night during Watson Chapel’s scrimmage against Monticello in Pine Bluff. He went into full cardiac arrest and was resuscitated on the field at Wildcat Stadium before being taken to Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. The ninth-grader was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

“He’s alert,” Dutton said. “He’s doing a lot better.”

Pierce is an outside linebacker for Watson Chapel’s junior high team.

Watson Chapel’s varsity team opens the season Sept. 5 at home against Batesville.

— Jeremy Muck

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACHES

Call in game information

High school football coaches are asked to call the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with football game reports before 10:30 p.m. each Friday this fall. Call (800) 272-4650 or (501) 378-3411. We need records, score by quarters, scoring plays and top rushing, passing, receiving and defensive performances. The Democrat-Gazette also will publish statistics each Friday throughout the regular season. Email statistics and news tips to Democrat-Gazette high school football coordinator Jeremy Muck at [email protected]. Scores also can be tweeted using the hashtag #arpreps.

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