∗ Arkansas State volleyball team got its preseason underway on Tuesday. And head coach David Rehr said things have started well for the team after completing two practices the first day.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect for the first time since I’ve been here,” Rehr said. “Usually I have an idea of what we will probably need to work on heading into camp, but we came out and were solid in almost every aspect of the game.

“There’s still some work to do obviously and we will have good days and bad days, but all in all, today was a good day for the team.”

∗ The NCAA selected Arkansas-Monticello A.D. Chris Ratcliff to be chair of the Division II Women’s Basketball Committee.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be named chair of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Committee,” Ratcliff said. “The committee is a great group of people who work tirelessly for the benefit of the sport of women’s basketball and student-athletes throughout the country. I look forward to this year as we work to keep the momentum moving forward.”

Ratcliff has served as a member of the national women’s basketball committee and chairman of the central regional advisory committee for the past three years.

Among the duties of the committee are selecting teams for championship competition, determining the host institution of championship sites, providing oversight and supervision during championship competition, arranging officials for championship competition, revising and updating championship manuals and determining regional alignment and allocation of bids for championships.

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MONTICELLO — University of Arkansas at Monticello Associate Athletic Director for External Operations Matt Whiting has resigned to take a similar position at the University of Central Arkansas.

The 2010 UAM graduate began his role in August of 2012. Since that time, he guided the UAM Sports Association to a more than 400 percent increase in members and donations. He also coordinated UAM’s corporate partnership program and handled major gifts, along with assisting the athletics department as a member of the administrative leadership staff.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Matt Whiting,” said UAM Athletic Director Chris Ratcliff. “He has been a big part in helping with the growth of our athletic department. We are certainly going to miss him here, but the opportunity at UCA is a great one and one that he could not pass u

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