SEARCY, Ark. - The University of Arkansas-Monticello volleyball team dropped a three-set match to Harding University , 9-25, 16-25, 21-25, Thursday afternoon inside Rhode-Reeves Field House.
The loss dropped the Blossoms to 4-18 on the season and 0-12 in GAC play, while the Lady Bisons improved to 17-7 and 10-2.
UAM was held to a .121 hitting percentage on 48 digs, 27 assists, 4 blocks, 1 aces, and 28 kills.
SET-BY-SET
FIRST SET (9-25 HU, HU leads 0-1)
The Blossoms were quick to fall behind, 0-3, to the Lady Bisons in the opening set, before adding two points to the board, due to Harding error. Harding scored five-unanswered points late in the set, increasing the lead to 4-12. UAM could only manage five more points to Harding's 13, falling behind in the series, 0-1.
SECOND SET (16-25 HU, HU leads 0-2)
Arkansas-Monticello once again saw themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard against Harding early, 0-3. The Blossoms were quick to respond to the bleeding by adding six on the board to tie the set, 6-6. Despite trailing to the Lady Bisons, 9-16, UAM scored four-unanswered points to bring the set to, 13-16. The rally for the Blossoms to 16-18, would prove futile as the Lady Bisons went on a 7-0 scoring run to win the second set, 16-25.
THIRD SET (21-25 HU, HU wins 0-3)
For the first time in the match the Blossoms took the lead against the Lady Bisons early, 3-2. Despite a strong defense from Harding, Arkansas-Monticello held firm outscoring the Lady Bisons 9-7, to bring the lead to, 12-9. The set saw a tie, 12-12, after the Blossoms allowed Harding to score two straight points. Both sides of the net added four more to tie for the third time at 16-16. A back-and-fourth battle commenced, with the set tying twice more before Harding ended the match on a service ace, 25-21.
MATCH LEADERS
MATCH NOTES
- This was the 42nd match between the Lady Bisons and the Blossoms.
- Mia Smalls surpassed 500 career digs in set three.
- Valeria Velez recorded a new career high on blocks with three.
FROM HEAD COACH ARLICIA ORTIZ
"We progressively got better in today's match. We started off with faulty blocking & struggled on serve receive, two very big parts of the game. The second set we got better & that third set was good quality play. We were patient & more aggressive on our blocks, our passing was great, & our hitters were being very strategic with their shots, eliminating unforced errors & scoring. I think it just took us too long to make those adjustments. We'll be working on locking in on every aspect of the game from start to finish."
UP NEXT
The Blossoms return to the court next Monday Nov. 4, for an evening match-up, as they take on the Golden Suns of Arkansas Tech University. The first serve is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from the Tucker Coliseum in Russellville, Arkansas.
Links to both live stream and live stats are available as clickable links on the
2024 UAM Volleyball Schedule at uamports.com.
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