JACKSON, Tenn. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team closed out the final day of the Union University Volleyball Invitational in dominant fashion. The Blossoms played just eight sets on the day, taking down Belmont Abbey 3-0 in the first match, and defeating Texas Women’s College 3-2 in the second.
UAM closes out the first weekend of the 2022 volleyball campaign 2-2 after winning both matches on Saturday.
Match 1
The opening set with Belmont Abbey began with the first point going to the Crusaders taking the first point of the match. The Blossoms were unfazed as they would take back the lead with a 4-0 run. The set would continue with a back and forth match-up between the two teams, with the Crusaders making a late run to tie the score at 21-21. UAM would follow-up by scoring the final 4 points of the set, taking the win 25-21.
In the second set UAM rode the same momentum from the first, jumping to an early 6-2 lead. The Blossoms continued their dominant run, grabbing a few rallies throughout a majority of the set. The set would end with a 25-16 finish, giving UAM a 2-0 lead on the match.
The third set was very similar to the first, as it was a back and forth battle between the two teams. The biggest lead seen throughout the sets entirety was 3 and was last seen as UAM scored the final four points of the match to take back the lead and win the set. The set would end with a final score of 25-22 and a 3-0 sweep for Arkansas-Monticello.
Jasmine Welton and Holliday Ellis lead the Blossoms in kills with 10 and 9.
Kalin Duncan contributed 24 assists in the match.
Defensively, the Blossoms were lead by Holliday Ellis and Jamie Agnew, who each had 10 and 9 digs.
Match 2
In the second match of the day UAM battled Texas Women’s University, taking down the Pioneers in five sets.
The Blossoms were the first team to score, taking a 2-0 lead to begin the set. The lead would change five times throughout the entirety of the set, but finish as UAM went on a 4-0 run for the final points. Arkansas-Monticello would take a 1-0 lead over the Pioneers.
Set two began in very similar position to the first as UAM jumped top an early 5-1 advantage. The Blossoms showcased an incredible performance of skill as they would put together multiple rallies throughout the set. The set ame to a close with UAM on top, 25-14.
The third and forth sets were in full control of the Texas Women’s University, as they won both sets to tie the match back up 2-2.
UAM was unfazed, finding their dominance once again as they head in the fifth and final set of the match. The Pioneers were first points on the board, taking a 2-0 lead. The Blossoms struck back, eventually taking a 5-4 lead and refusing to lose that lose that lead as they would eventually win the set, 15-10, taking a 3-2 win.
Offensively, Jasmine Welton lead the Blossoms in kills with 22.
Kalin Duncan once again led the team in the assist category again dishing out 50.
On defense, Jasmine Welton and Stasha Adams tallied 13 digs each to lead the team.
UP NEXT
UAM returns to the court on Friday, September 3 for day 1 of the 2022 Gorilla Classic Tournament. The team takes on the University of Mary at 11:30 a.m. for game 1 and Cameron University at 7:00 p.m.
