ROLLA, Mo. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team picked up its first win of the season after splitting a pair of matches on day two at the Missouri S&T Miner Invitational Saturday. The Blossoms dropped the first match of the day in straight sets against Missouri S&T, but bounced back in the afternoon to defeat Purdue - Northwest.

UAM started the second day of the Miner Invitational with a matchup against the host school Missouri S&T.

The first two sets did not go the way of the Blossoms as UAM found itself behind early in each set. The Blossoms battled throughout both the first and second set, but were unable to climb out of the early deficits falling 25-18 in the first and 25-16 in the second.

In the third set, UAM jumped out to the early lead holding a 4-2 advantage before the two squads began trading points until Missouri S&T rattled off seven-straight points to take a 14-7 lead. The Blossoms fought back to cut the deficit to 20-18, but ultimately could not complete the comeback dropping the set 25-21 to lose the match in straight sets.

On offense, the Blossoms were led by Kalin Duncan's 19 assists and Mikaela Brown's eight kills.

Defensively, three players tallied double-digit digs as Riley Krenek led the way with 14. Kenzi Thornton and Katelyn Richbourg followed with 11 apiece.

In UAM's final match at the Miner Invitational the Blossoms converted on the attack posting 55 kills as a team to take down Purdue-Northwest in four sets for the squad's first win of the season.

UAM jumped out to the initial lead in the opening set and never looked back. The Blossoms began with a 9-4 scoring run to build a cushion allowing them to hold of the Pride down the stretch as the two teams traded points before UAM scored the final two point to take the set 25-21.

PNW flipped the script in the second set taking the 8-2 lead early before UAM battled back to cut the deficit to 13-11. However, the Pride responded with two 3-0 scoring runs to take control of the set and eventually win it 25-19.

In another different start to a set, it was a back-and-forth affair to start the third until the Blossoms scored five-straight points to take a 15-11 advantage. PNW responded to ultimately even the score down the stretch as the teams saw three ties before UAM closed the set with the last two point to win 26-24.

The Blossoms took the early advantage again in the fourth set opening with a 10-4 scoring run. The teams exchanged points and brief rallies through the middle of the set, but UAM managed to push its lead to 23-19 and eventually hold off the Pride to take the set 25-22 and win the match 3-1.

Offensively, a pair of Blossoms registered double-digit kills with Brown leading the way with 15 followed by Jamie Agnew with 10.

Duncan posted an impressive 45 assists to lead the team in the category while adding 11 digs.

On defense, four players tallied double-digit digs for UAM including Richbourg (18), Thornton (12), Taylor Crighton (12) and Duncan (11). The Blossoms also registered nine total blocks as a team.

UP NEXT

UAM returns to Monticello for its home opener against Mississippi College at Steelman Field House Tuesday, September 7. First serve is set for 6 p.m.