MONTICELLO, Ark. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello Volleyball team came up just short of their first GAC win on Senior Night, in a heartbreaking 3-2 (30-28, 25-13, 26-24, 25-18, 15-10) loss to the Reddies of Henderson State University on Tuesday night inside Steelman Fieldhouse.

Prior to the start of the match, Blossoms Volleyball and UAM Athletics honored our four graduating seniors, setter Mia Smalls, libero/defensive specialist Licia Echevarria, pin hitter Isneydy De La Rosa, and middle blocker/opposite Xaria Pearson.



Arkansas-Monticello was held to a .138 hitting percentage on 93 digs, 51 assists, 9 blocks, 2 aces, and 55 kills.

SET-BY-SET
FIRST SET (30-28 UAM, UAM leads 1-0)
The opening set proved to be the most competitive set of the match, beginning with Arkansas-Monticello and Henderson State tied 7-7. The Blossoms extended their lead after scoring five unanswered points, bringing the set to 12-8. The Reddies slowly chipped away at the Blossom's lead, making it a one-point match, 21-20, in favor of UAM. Henderson State kept the momentum, going on a 4-0 run to take over the one-point advantage in their favor, 24-23. The Blossoms and Reddies battled back and forth, vying for the win past the allotted 25 points. Two final kills from the Blossoms gave UAM the first set, 30-28.

SECOND SET (25-13 HSU, match tied 1-1)
The second set began in Arkansas-Monticello's favor, 4-2; however, five unanswered points from Henderson State gave them a 7-4 advantage. The Blossoms cut the deficit to just one point, 10-9, before the Reddies responded with another 5-0 rally to extend their lead, 15-9. Henderson State did not slow its momentum, holding UAM to just four more points to HSU's ten to win set two, 25-13, and tie the match, 1-1.

THIRD SET (26-24 UAM, UAM leads 2-1)
Arkansas-Monticello began the third set on a strong start, exchanging points to lead the set early, 14-11; however, Henderson State quickly responded with five unanswered points to claim the lead of the set, 16-14. The Blossoms and Reddies continued battling back and forth, seeing the set tied six more times. UAM delivered a kill and attack error to win the third set, 26-24, passed the needed 25, and led the match, 2-1.

FOURTH SET (25-18 HSU, match tied 2-2)
Set four began with Henderson State taking a commanding 12-4 lead over Arkansas-Monticello. The Blossoms, looking for their first conference win of the season, quickly responded, bringing the set within four points, 17-13. An exchange of points back and forth brought the set to 20-17 in favor of the Reddies. HSU would take the set, 25-18, after scoring five points over the next six serves, tying the match 2-2, forcing a winner-take-all set five.

FIFTH SET (15-10 HSU, HSU wins 3-2)
The fifth and final set began with Arkansas-Monticello behind in the scoreboard, 6-1. The Blossoms rallied to bring the set within three, 9-6; however, two kills and a service error put the Reddies in control, 12-7. Despite UAM's efforts to cut the deficit, two more kills and an attack error by the Reddies would end the set, 15-10, in favor of Henderson State, ending the match, 3-2.

UAM vs. HSU LEADERS

• Kills: Jalen Scroggins (17)
• Assists: Mia Smalls (40)
• Digs: Mia Smalls (17)
• Blocks: Jalen Scroggins (6)
• Aces: Tie - Maelie Cooke, Asaiah Littlefield (1)

MATCH NOTES

• This was the last home match of the 2025 campaign.
• Set one tied for the highest scoring set of the season, alongside set one of the UAM v Christian Brothers that also finished 30-28.
• First match of the season to reach a decisive set five.
• This match set the record for the following as season highs for the Blossoms: kills - 55, assists - 51, digs - 93, total blocks - 9, points - 66.
• Jalen Scroggins set a new season and career high in kills with her 17 in the match. She also set a new season and career high in blocks with her 6 on the night.
• Sophia Grubbs set a new season and career high on kills with her 15 in the match.
• Licia Echevarria set a new season high in digs with her 14 in the match.
• Mia Smalls earned her 14th double-double by adding 40 assists and 17 digs on the night.

UP NEXT
The Blossoms will close out their 2025 campaign this Thursday, Nov. 13, in Magnolia, Ark., when they take on the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University at 6:00 p.m. inside the W.T. Watson Athletic Center.

Links to both live stream and live stats are available as clickable links on the 2025 UAM Volleyball Schedule at uamports.com.

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