MONTICELLO - The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team defeated Great American Conference rival Southern Arkansas University Thursday evening in what is now the Blossoms third straight victory. 

Final game scores from the match were 25-23, 25-27, 25-20 and 25-16.

The Blossoms (11-13, 7-5 GAC) and the Lady Muleriders of Southern Arkansas (9-17, 3-9 GAC) battled each other through the first two sets, as multiple lead changes and ties occurred throughout both. UAM closed out the opening set on a 4-1 run to gain the early 1-0 advantage in the match over SAU. Set two went back-and-forth throughout and came down to the final points as the Lady Muleriders won two straight after multiple UAM errors to even the match up at 1-1. Arkansas-Monticello found success in the two following sets, putting together multiple point runs to separate from SAU. UAM closed out set number four on a 9-1 run to claim victory over rival Southern Arkansas 3-1. 

Junior Shay Mitchell guided the UAM offensive on the night totaling a match-high 18 kills on 42 attempts for a .310 hitting percentage. Carolina Gasparini and Kya Standford found themselves in double-figures in overall kills with Gasparini recording 14 and Standford added 11. 

Gasparini also led Arkansas-Monticello with six total service aces and Standford anchored the defensive front with one solo block and two block assists. 

Freshman setter Kendall Vondra provided a match-high 52 total assists, along with six digs, one kill, and one service ace. Macy Mitchell led UAM in total digs with 16 overall as well. 

The Blossoms will return to the court next on Tuesday, November 1 as UAM will travel to take on GAC opponent Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Arkansas with first serve set for 6 p.m.