MonticelloLive

The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team opened play in the Harding Invitational with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Southwest Baptist.

The win moves the team to an overall record of 8-2, which is the best season start in team history. Final game scores were 25-22, 25-13, 15-25, 9-25 and 17-15.

UAM opened the match with an impressive win in game one with a combined effort of a .233 team hitting percentage. The team’s hitting percentage fell over the next three games, allowing SBU to force a fifth game.

In that fifth game, the Blossoms mirrored the first game, actually improving the team’s hitting percentage to .286, which included 13 kills and only three attack errors.

Individually, the Blossoms were led by the efforts of two junior-transfers. Outside-hitter Jalynn Thornton (6-1, Pleasant Grove, Utah) led the team with 13 kills and a .242 hitting percentage, while middle-blocker Cayla Knapp (6-1, South Lake Tahoe, Calif.) followed closely with 12 kills.

Knapp also led the team from the front row with four block assists.

Sophomore Stephanie Hatten (5-4, Baytown, Texas) tied for the match-high, leading the Blossoms from the back row with 21 digs.

Fourth-year senior Meagan Martin (5-5, Burnet, Texas) once again was in on most of the UAM kills, racking up 34 set assists.

The Blossoms continue play in the Harding Invitational tonight with a 6 p.m. contest against Texas A&M-Commerce.