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SAN ANGELO, Texas – The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team responded from a three-set loss to Western New Mexico earlier on Friday with a four-set victory over Missouri Southern in the afternoon at the Angelo State Kathleen Brasfield Invitational.

The Blossoms (1-1) opened up the match with a pair of close 25-23 wins in the first two sets. The Lions (0-2) avoided the sweep by posting a dominant 25-11 win in the third set before UAM finished the match with a 25-16 win in the final set.

Despite the lopsided score in the third set, UAM turned in its worst performance of the match in the opening set, posting only five kills while committing 11 errors. The Blossoms responded with 12 kills and four errors in the second set.

The Lions were only in negative percentages in the first set. After that, MSSU posted percentages of .224, .304 and .097.

With Missouri Southern attempting to force a fifth set, the Blossoms posted their best performance of the day with 12 kills and only three errors in the fourth and final frame.

Senior Jessica Cuba led the Blossoms in total points after racking up eight kills and five blocks. Junior Sydni Schulz added seven kills and two service aces. Freshman Aubrey Harrison accounted for 8.5 points in her collegiate debut with four kills and five block assists. Senior Tasha Evans finished with six kills and four block assists.

Junior Kaila Kikugawa turned in her first career double-double with 24 assists and 13 digs, both team highs. She also added three kills and four total blocks to her final stats.

The Blossoms are back in action at the Angelo State tournament on Saturday with a noon match against the host Belles, followed later in the day against Tarleton State at 4 p.m. Links to live coverage of both matches can be found here: www.uamsports.com/coverage.aspx.