Magnolia, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team defeated the Tigers of Grambling State in four sets on the road on the final day of the Dr. Margaret Downing Invitational, 3-1.

• Final set scores from the match were 25-17, 23-25, 25-16, and 31-29 in favor of the Blossoms. 
• Arkansas-Monticello improves its record to 5-6 (0-1 GAC) this season.
• GSU drops to 3-10 (0-0 SWAC) in 2017. 

• The Blossoms dominated early on in set number one with scoring runs of 4-0, 4-0, and finally 5-0 to put away the opening set, 25-17.

  

• Despite a 6-0 run late in the second set of play in this match, UAM suffered a 25-23 loss in the set with two straight attack errors by the Blossoms to give Grambling State the advantage for the set win. 
   

• Arkansas-Monticello regained its control of this match in the third set with kills from Aubrey Harrison, and Maggie Pyles to see UAM out to an early 5-1 lead.
• The Blossoms later extended that lead out to 18-10 with kills from Laurene Cushinberry, and Pyles as UAM sealed off the set, 25-16 with its explosive offensive attack. 

• The final set of this contest saw each team claim a small lead throughout, but it ultimately came do to a 31-29 final with UAM scoring three straight points to put the match away with kills from Pyles, and Vanessa Pawlak, along with a GSU hitting error. 

• Sophomore Maggie Pyles totaled 21 kills in the match, her second straight match with at least 20 kills.
• Pyles also led UAM on the defensive side of the ball with a team-high 19 digs.
• Senior Vanessa Pawlak added 12 overall kills in the winning effort.
• Freshman Toryn Cox tallied 39 overall assists in the match as well, her most assists in her UAM career. 

• Arkansas-Monticello will prepare for Great American Conference adversary Henderson State, as UAM faces the Reddies next Tuesday, September 19, at 6:30 p.m. inside Steelman Fieldhouse, in Monticello, Arkansas.