ROLLA, Mo. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team came up short in two matches as it opened the 2021 season at the Missouri S&T Miner Invitational Friday. The Blossoms fell in each match in straight sets against Upper Iowa and Missouri Western State.

UAM was dealt a 3-0 loss in the first match of the day against Upper Iowa.

The Blossoms fought hard in the first set until the Peacocks scored eight consecutive points to close the first set 25-12.

In the second set, UAM continued to battle, but could not manage to even the score dropping the set 25-14.

The Blossoms continued to struggle in the third set, with only one assist from freshman Kalin Duncan setting up Jamie Agnew for the kill before Upper Iowa closed the set 25-8 to win the match in straight sets. 

Duncan made her first appearance as a Blossom leading the team with seven assists. 

Sophomore Mikaela Brown and junior Agnew led the Blossoms with five and four kills, respectively. 

Defensively, the UAM was led by senior Katelyn Richbourg and junior Kenzi Thorton, who registered 12 and 7 digs. 

In the second match of the day UAM found more overall success as a team, but was still unable to pick up a set falling 3-0 against Missouri Western State.

The Blossoms battled to take an early lead over the Griffons in the first set by scoring three-straight points to go up 3-2. However, Missouri Western State managed to respond with five consecutive points. UAM kept it close throughout the set until the Griffons closed on a 10-4 run taking the set 26-16.

UAM had the early lead again in the second set 9-7 before Missouri Western State managed to respond again with six consecutive points. The Blossoms were unable mount any comeback in the set dropping it 25-14.

The third and final set was unkind to the Blossoms as they fell behind early. UAM made a valiant effort to come from behind to stay alive going on a 10-6 run before ultimately falling 25-18 to lose the match in straight sets.

Offensively, the Blossoms spread around the kills with 11 different players registering at least one kill.

Duncan led the team in assists again posting double digits this time with 10. Fellow freshman Mia Smalls followed finishing with seven assists.

On defense, Riley Krenek and Richbourg paced the Blossoms with 14 and 11 digs, respectively.

UP NEXT

UAM continues play at the Miner Invitational with two more matches against host school Missouri S&T at 10:30 a.m. and Purdue University - Northwest at 4 p.m.