MONTICELLO, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossom Volleyball team came up just short on Senior Day, falling in a heartbreaking 3-2 (22-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-22, 4-15) loss to the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University on Tuesday night inside Steelman Fieldhouse.

Following the match, UAM Athletics and the Blossom volleyball team honored our graduating seniors: outside hitters Alexia Hajdu and Holiday Ellis, middle blocker Abrielle Jordan, setter Bruna Silva, and utility Michayla Black.


The loss tonight dropped the Blossoms to 4-21 on the season and 0-15 in GAC play, while the Muleriders improved to 12-11 and 6-9 in GAC play.

Arkansas-Monticello was held to a .156 hitting percentage on 102 digs, 52 assists, 8 blocks, 8 aces, and 57 kills.

SET-BY-SET

FIRST SET (22-25 SAU, SAU leads 0-1)
UAM was first to strike in the set, taking an early 7-4 lead over SAU. With the score in the Blossoms' favor, 12-9, the Muleriders began to take control over UAM. After the Blossoms allowed five points, SAU held the set, 12-14. Despite cutting the Muleriders lead to just three, 24-21, the Blossoms could only manage to kill one more, with SAU winning the set, 22-25.

SECOND SET (22-25 SAU, SAU leads 0-2)
The Blossoms saw themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard early this time, down 4-3. After tying the set at 4's, SAU took 12 points off UAM, only allowing the Blossoms to score five times, 9-16. After trading points, 11-18, the Blossoms began a 7-point rally to bring the score to, 18-19. The rally was not enough to stall the Muleriders as they would outscore the Blossoms 7-3, to take the set, 21-25.

THIRD SET (26-24 UAM, SAU leads 1-2)
After an extended 5-minute set change, Arkansas-Monticello was first on the board, leading Southern Arkansas University, 4-1, early. The Blossoms held the lead, 8-6, but let the offense of the Muleriders gain the advantage taking a four-point run to take the lead, 8-10. The Muleriders would continue to dominate the set, taking another 6 unanswered points off the Blossoms to bring the score to, 14-21. The Blossoms not giving up only allowed SAU three points to UAM's 12 to take the set, 26-24.

FOURTH SET (25-22 UAM, Match tied 2-2)
Needing to win set four to force a winner-take-all set five, the Blossoms saw that hope fading fast when they saw themselves down to the Muleriders, 11-7. With the help of the roaring crowd, the Blossoms mounted an epic comeback, scoring nine points on 10 serves, to take a, 16-12 lead over SAU. The Muleriders tried to fight their way back, but the defense of the Blossoms held them, with UAM taking the set, 25-22. Forcing only their third fifth set of the season.

FIFTH SET (4-15 SAU, SAU wins 3-2)
With the oppurtunity to win their first GAC match of the season, the Blossoms struggled to find momentum from the last two sets. SAU held a strong lead through the entire set, only allowing four points for the Blossoms. SAU would take the fifth set, 4-15, and the match, 3-2.

MATCH LEADERS

• Kills: Holiday Ellis - 17
• Assists: Mia Smalls - 36
• Digs: Jordan Wehr - 24
• Blocks: Abrielle Jordan - 5
• Aces: Jordan Wehr - 4

MATCH NOTES

• This was the last home match of the 2024 campaign.
• Set three and four featured the biggest come-from-behind set wins of the season for the Blossoms. 
• Mia Smalls recorded her sixth double-double of the year, with 36 assists and 13 digs. 
• Holiday Ellis recorded her third double-double of the year, with 16 digs and 17 kills.
• Mia Smalls set a new season high on assist with her 36 in the match.
• Jordan Wehr set a new season and career high on serving aces, with her 4 in the match.
• Abrielle Jordan set a new season and career high on kills in her final match inside Steelman at 12.

POST GAME INTERVIEW WITH HEAD COACH ARLICIA ORTIZ


UP NEXT
The Blossoms will close out their 2024 campaign this Thursday, Nov. 14, in  Arkadelphia, Ark. when they take on the Reddies of Henderson State Univeristy at 6:00 p.m. inside the Duke Wells Center.

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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