COMMERCE, Texas – The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team opened its 2010 season with two losses on Friday at the Texas A&M-Commerce Lion Volleyball Classic. The Cotton Blossoms dropped its season opener 3-1 to Fort Hays State, later followed by a 3-0 loss to Oklahoma Panhandle State.
In the loss to Fort Hays (1-0), the Blossoms were led in kills by sophomore MacKenzie Hubbard and senior Monica Perkins-Miller with seven kills each. However, Hubbard had 11 attack errors for a -.160 hitting percentage, while Perkins-Miller had six errors for a final .037 percentage.
As a team, UAM had 24 kills on 109 attempts with 30 errors for a final -.055 combined hitting percentage.
Defensively, junior Christina Jacinto led the team with nine digs, followed by senior Stephanie Hatten and sophomore Meagan Peters with eight each. Senior setter Vikki Crisco led both teams with 18 set assists.
Fort Hays was led by Tracie Hileman, who racked up a match-high nine kills on 28 attempts with only three errors for a final .214 hitting percentage. As a team, Fort Hays had 29 kills on 95 attempts with 15 errors for a final .147 percentage.
Final game scores were 25-18, 18-25, 7-25 and 20-25.
Later on Friday, the Cotton Blossoms improved the team’s hitting percentage in a 3-0 loss to Oklahoma Panhandle State (1-0). Final game scores were 17-25, 22-25 and 23-25.
As a team, UAM had 28 kills on 82 attempts for a final .146 hitting percentage. Perkins-Miller continued her hot start to the season, racking up a match-high nine kills on 27 attempts with four errors for a .185 percentage. Junior Melissa Reed was second on the team with seven kills.
Defensively, Hatten and Hubbard tied for the team and match lead with nine digs each.
Oklahoma Panhandle State was led by Meredith Powell’s eight kills on 16 attempts with only one error. Hillary Isleifson added seven kills on 25 attempts with only one error. As a team, OPSU had 30 kills on 87 attempts with 11 errors for a final .218 percentage.
The Cotton Blossoms continue play in the Lion Volleyball Classic on Saturday with an 11 a.m. matchup against Tarleton State and an 8:30 p.m. contest against host TAMU-Commerce.
