GAC Release

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team was voted to finish eighth in the Great American Conference preseason coaches poll, the league office announced Thursday.

In the 2021 spring season UAM finished with a 6-6 record and earned its first win in program history in the GAC Tournament after defeating Ouachita Baptist in the first round.

Jocelyn Garcia enters her third season as the head coach of the Blossoms with a 17-24 overall record. She will be joined by Katie Cornelius on the sidelines who will serve as the graduate assistant for the UAM volleyball program.

"Naturally, we have high expectations for this upcoming season. We are mission-driven and feel that we still have so much to prove," Coach Garcia said. "Our seniors have continued to set the tone and have built such a strong culture during their time here. Ultimately, we just have to take it day by day, match by match. I am excited to see what this group will accomplish!

The Blossoms return a host of contributors from the spring 2021 season including the top two in kills on the team, Faith Wilemon and Mikaela Brown, and its top defensive specialist Katelyn Richbourg.

UAM also welcomes a class of seven newcomers that includes four incoming freshmen and three transfers to the squad for the upcoming season.

The Blossoms start their season at the Missouri S&T Invitational in Rolla, Missouri, on September 3-4. UAM will face Upper Iowa University and Missouri Western State University on Friday, September 3, before battling Missouri S&T and Purdue-Northwest Saturday, September 4.