MONTICELLO, Ark.- UAM Volleyball fall to, 4-6, on the season, inside Steeleman Fieldhouse on Friday afternoon. The Blossoms dropped game one against the Cardinals of William Jewell (Mo.), 3-1, before falling in game two, 3-1, versus the Lady Bulldogs of Union University (Tenn.).

Game 1 - William Jewell (Mo.)

The first set of the morning started in Arkansas-Monticello's favor, seeing a 7-5 lead early. This would be the only lead of the set for UAM, as the Cardinals took full charge, 12-9. Despite an effort to tie the set, the Blossoms failed to break through the defense of Willam Jewell, losing set one 18-25.

Willam Jewell had complete hold of the second set with a 14-9 lead before the Blossoms made it a three-point game, 15-12. Once again, UAM struggled to find holes in the defense of the Cardinals. The visitors went on to out score the Blossoms, 10-8, to win the set, 25-21. Taking the match, 2-0, heading into set three. 

Set three saw a different side of the Blossoms, as they held the Cardinals to just eight points through 26 serves. Leading with a 10-point advantage, 18-8, the Blossoms only recorded two more points before the Cardinals started to rally. William Jewell cut the deficit to 23-20. UAM held on, and with two attack errors from the Cardinals, they took set three, 25-20, forcing a need set four. 

The fourth and final set was a defensive battle between the Blossoms and the Cardinals, as points on sides never fell below a one-point margin until tied at 11-11. The Cardinals took the lead 15-12, off two kills and attack errors, and never looked back. William Jewell held off Arkansas-Monticello, only allowing nine more points, en route to a, 25-20, set win and a, 3-1, match win.

Natalie White once again led the Blossoms in kills, with 15. 

Mia Smalls assisted in 23 attacks throughout the match.

Defensively, the Blossoms saw Jordan Wehr lead with 20 digs.

GAME ONE NOTES

• This was the third meeting between the Blossoms and Cardinals, but the first in Monticello.

Game 2 - Union University (Tn.)

In set one the Blossoms found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard when the Lady Bulldogs grew a 15-8 lead. UAM couldn't find their momentum and only recorded six more points to Union's 10, losing the set, 25-14.

The second set was promising for UAM, with the Blossoms outscoring the Lady Bulldogs, 12-7. Despite being down five, Union rallied, scoring nine points to Arkansas-Monticello's five to tie the set at 16-16. The Blossoms put a stop to UU's offense, allowing only four more points from them in the set, taking set two, 25-20, tying the match 1-1.

Set three was the first evenly matched set of the day on scoring, with both teams putting up 12 early. Tied 12-12, Union took their first lead of the set, following three kills and an attack error from UAM. The Lady Bulldogs never relinquished control, taking set three, 25-20. 

The fourth and final set saw the Blossoms take a significant lead over the Lady Bulldogs right out of the gate, 10-4. The Bulldogs put the break on the Blossoms as they responded with seven straight unanswered points, retaking an 11-10 advantage. UAM unable to defend their side of the net, surrendered another seven unanswered to Union, 18-11. Trying to force a final set five, the Blossoms started to rally, but fell short, losing set four, 19-25, and the match, 3-1.

Jasmine Welton led the Blossoms in kills with 11. Natalie White followed behind with 10 for herself.

Mia Smalls and Jordan Wehr assisted in 33 attacks throughout the match. Smalls recorded 18, while Wehr earned 15.

Defensively, the Blossoms saw Jordan Wehr lead with 13 digs. Asia Griffiths and Maelie Cooke followed with 10 digs each. Abrielle Jordan led in blocks with three.

GAME TWO NOTES

• This was the eighth meeting between the Blossoms and the Lady Bulldogs.
• Set two saw the score tied five times. With 14 total tied scores combined for the match.

UP NEXT 
The Blossoms return to the court Tuesday, September 24, as they host the Golden Suns from Arkansas Tech Univeristy for the first Great American Conference game of the year. The first serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside Steelman Fieldhouse.

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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