DENTON, Texas - The University of Arkansas at Monticello Volleyball team closed out the 2025 Denton Volleyfest, hosted by Texas Woman's University, Saturday afternoon. The matches today were the first for the Blossoms against both the Patriots of the University of Texas at Tyler and the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire University in program history. 

In the opening match of the day, the Blossoms dropped a three-set match to the Patriots of Texas at Tyler, 20-25, 22-25, 9-25, before sweeping their match against the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire, 25-12, 25-17, 25-19.

UAM was held to a .065 hitting percentage on 54 digs, 23 assists, 2 blocks, 5 aces, and 24 kills in match one, and recorded a .298 hitting percentage on 40 digs, 33 assists, 2 blocks, 17 aces, and 36 kills in the second match.

UAM vs. UTT
FIRST SET (20-25 UTT, UTT leads 0-1)
The opening set began with the Patriots taking an early 8-4 lead, but the Blossoms quickly responded to cut the lead to just one, 12-11. UTT wouldn't relinquish control, taking a five-point advantage, 19-14. UAM once again brought the score to within three, 21-19, but the Blossoms would surrender four more points off three kills and a serving error, giving the first set to the Patriots. 

SECOND SET (22-25 UTT, UTT leads 0-2)
Set two of the match looked to be a repeat of the first, with a back-and-forth rally with the Patriots to make it a 13-12 match in favor of UTT. The Patriots pulled ahead with seven points to push them into a 20-13 advantage. UAM worked to cut the deficit to two, but UTT would take set two, 25-22, off a set point kill. 

THIRD SET (9-25 UTT, UTT wins 0-3)
In the third and final set, the Blossoms struggled to produce momentum, falling 11-3 early. UAM was held to only six more points and couldn't hold on for the remainder of the match. The Patriots would take set three, 25-9, and the match win over UAM. 

UAM vs. UTT LEADERS

• Kills: Sophia Grubbs (11)
• Assists: Mia Smalls (11)
• Digs: Mia Smalls (17)
• Blocks: Jalen Scroggins (2)
• Aces: Isneydy De La Rosa (2)

UAM vs. SNHU
FIRST SET (25-12 UAM , UAM leads 1-0)
The opening set began as an evenly matched battle between the Blossoms and Penmen, 4-4. Arkansas-Monticello seemed to pull away when they scored six unanswered points to take the lead, 10-4. The Blossoms never relinquished control, eventually taking the set 25-12, to lead 1-0. 

SECOND SET (25-17 UAM , UAM leads 2-0)
Set two opened with the Blossoms controlling the scoreboard early, 4-0. The Penmen soon found momentum and brought the set to 7-7. It would be a back-and-forth battle between UAM and SNHU for the remainder of the set. The Blossoms claimed set two, 25-17, over the Penmen after a 7-0 rally. 

THIRD SET (25-19 UAM , UAM wins 3-0)
The third set started just as the second did, with a back-and-forth battle on both sides of the net. The Blossoms dominated their way to a 16-8 lead over the Penmen. SNHU rallied back within three points, 22-19, but saw the efforts fall short as the Blossoms took set three, 25-19, and the match win.

UAM vs. SNHU LEADERS

• Kills: Sophia Grubbs (14)
• Assists: Brooklynn Meredith (14)
• Digs: Jordan Wehr (13)
• Blocks: Mia Smalls (2)
• Aces: Brooklynn Meredith (6)

DAY TWO NOTES OF INTEREST

• MATCH ONE
  • This was the first match-up in program history between the Patriots of the University of Texas at Tyler and your UAM Blossoms.
• MATCH TWO
  • First-ever meeting between the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire University and the Blossoms.
  • First set and match win for UAM since September 2024.
  • First sweep for the Blossoms since September of 2022.
  • First sweep as Head Coach for Arlicia Ortiz.
  • Brooklynn Meredith set not only a team high for the season on aces, but a career high with her six against SNHU.
    • She also recorded a career high in assists with 14.
  • Sophia Grubbs set a career high in kills with her 14 in the match.
  • Mia Smalls has now recorded six straight double-doubles.
    • She also set a career high on kills with 10.
  • Evalyn Dang recorded a career high four aces.

FROM HEAD COACH ARLICIA ORTIZ
"We're getting better every weekend. I'm proud of our growth. We saw a lot of spectacular stuff. I look forward to practice on Monday to keep getting after it."

UP NEXT
The Blossoms will return to action next Tuesday, September 16, at the Central Baptist College Tournament in Conway, Arkansas. Arkansas-Monticello will take on Evangel University (Mo.) at 6:00 p.m. followed by Central Baptist College at 8:00 p.m. inside the  A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse. 

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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