Blossoms Split at UCA Tri-Match

CONWAY, AR --- After struggling in the opening match against Central Arkansas, the University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossoms (4-8) were led by a 25-kill effort by Kasey McBrearty against Lyon to salvage a split Sept. 15 at the University of Central Arkansas Tri-Match.

        In the opener, the Blossoms dropped a 3-0 decision to Central Arkansas, falling 30-19, 30-16, and 30-18. The Blossoms started off hot, but the red-hot hitting of UCA’s Sallye Cockrell picked apart the UAM defense. Cockrell’s .826 hitting percentage for the match was seventh-best in GSC history and a UCA school record.

        UCA’s defense also stifled the UAM offense, as the Sugarbears had 10.5 team blocks.

        McBrearty led the Blossoms with 11 kills, while Maegan Martin added 16 assists, Amie Kronk added 11 assists, and Katherine Brown notched 12 digs along with Martin’s ten.

        The Blossoms hit .119 for the match, led by Pam Grano’s .263 percentage.

        In the nightcap, UAM and Lyon opened the match with a hotly-contested opening game, with UAM eventually taking a 31-29 win to go up 1-0 in the match. The Blossoms dominated the second game, winning 30-20, before Lyon exploded with a .362 hitting effort in the third game to take a 30-17 victory and narrow the match to 2-1. The Blossoms settled down in the fourth game, hitting .390 en route to a 30-18 game four victory and a 3-1 match win.

        McBrearty’s 25 kills led all layers, while Amanda Sayre (13), Katy Stoneking (11) and Grano (11) also notched double-digit kills. Martin dished out 34 assists, while Kronk added another 16.

        Brown and Martin tied for the team lead with 21 digs, while Sayre (17), McBrearty (14), and Kronk (13) also reached double digits in digs. UAM hit .257 for the match, led by Stoneking’s .435 percentage (11 kills, one error, 23 attacks).

   The Blossoms return to action Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., opening their Gulf South Conference schedule against Arkansas Tech at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.

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