ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossom Volleyball teams 2024 campaign came to a close Thursday night with a 3-0 (17-25, 21-25, 16-25) loss to the Reddies of Henderson State University inside the Duke Wells Center.

The loss tonight dropped the Blossoms to a final record of 4-22 on the season and 0-16 in GAC play, while the Reddies improved to 15-14 and 6-10 in GAC play.

Arkansas-Monticello was held to a .148 hitting percentage on 33 digs, 35 assists, 5 blocks, 3 aces, and 35 kills.
 

SET-BY-SET

FIRST SET (17-25 HSU, HSU leads 0-1)
Arkansas-Monticello fell behind in the count early, 3-1, but quickly responded to the Reddies by scoring five unanswered points to take the lead, 6-3. Henderson State closed the gap by tying the score, 13-13, yet the Blossoms held on by two, 15-13. The Reddies soon put an end to the match scoring a match-high nine straight points off UAM. Adding only two more points to the board, the Blossoms would fall in set one by a final score of 17-25.

SECOND SET (21-25 HSU, HSU leads 0-2)
Set two proved to be a battle to 25, with both teams taking the lead once before tying, 4-4. The Blossoms again fell behind the Reddies, 11-13, and still another five-point run for HSU, put the Blossoms behind. The ladies in green and white started a comeback rally outscoring the Reddies 9-4 to cut the point deficit to three, 20-23. The late rally proved insufficient as HSU would take the second set over the Blossoms, 21-25.

THIRD SET (16-25 HSU, HSU wins 0-3)
Needing to win set three to keep their season alive, the Blossoms found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard down, 2-9 early. UAM fought to keep the battle going by recording five points to bring the set to, 7-13. The Blossoms could not find a way to stop the offense of HSU, as the Reddies outscored them seven to one, 20-8. A four-point run for the Blossoms would bring the score to 12-20, but the Reddies responded with a four-point run of their own, 12-24. With HSU needing one point to end the season for the Blossoms, UAM began a rally, scoring another four unanswered, 16-24. However, the season and rally would end on a UAM attack error, with HSU taking the set, 16-25, and the match, 3-0.

MATCH LEADERS

• Kills: Jalen Scroggins - 11
• Assists:  Mia Smalls - 18
• Digs: Licia Echevarria - 6
• Blocks: Abrielle Jordan - 3
• Aces: tie - Mia Smalls, Abrielle Jordan, Bruna Silva - 1

MATCH NOTES

• This was the final match of the 2024 campaign.
• This was the final match as a Blossom for; Abrielle Jordan, Alexia Hajdu, Michayla Black, Bruna Silva and Holiday Ellis.
• This completes the first full season as a head coach for Arlicia Ortiz.

CLOSING SEASON THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH ARLICIA ORTIZ
"I want to say thank you to the five seniors we're graduating for being a part of my first year. I look forward to next season."

UP NEXT
The Blossoms will return to the court next fall for the 2025 season! We are forever grateful to the fans, faculty, staff, and students for their continued support of UAM Volleyball throughout the entirety of the 2024 season. 

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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