FLORENCE, AL --- The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossoms volleyball team (3-1) picked up a pair of wins on the final day of the University of North Alabama Classic, downing Alabama-Huntsville 3-1 in the opener and then topping Texas-Permian Basin 3-1 in the finale.

   For their efforts during the tournament, Katherine Taju (Sr., Panama City, Panama) and Amanda Sayre (Sr., Del City, Okla.) were named to the All-Tournament team.

   In the opening match, the Cotton Blossoms were stunned 30-15 in the opening game, but came back to pick up a 30-15 victory of their own to knot the match after the second game. UAM was able to cruise in the third game, winning 30-18 before the Chargers were able to tighten the gap in the finale, with the Blossoms eventually winning 30-25.

    Taju led all players with 17 kills, while Kameshia Melton (Jr., Grapevine, Texas) added 12 kills and Sayre added ten. Maegan Martin (So., Burnet, Texas) dished out 40 assists, while Amie Kronk (Sr., San Antonio, Texas) posted 22 digs, Sayre added 20, and Martin added 11.

   In the tournament finale, the Blossoms opened with wins of 30-25 and 30-21 over Texas-Permian Basin before UTPB rallied in the third game to win 30-24, pulling to within 2-1; but the Blossoms closed out the match with a 30-19 victory in the fourth game.

   Taju and Sayre led the way for the Blossoms with 17 kills apiece, while Nicole Ferguson (Fr., Brentwood, Tenn.) added 15 kills and Melton added 13.

   Martin dished out 58 assists, while leading the way with 18 digs. Sayre added 17, Taju added 14, and Kronk added 10.

   The Cotton Blossoms return to action on Friday, September 1, as they compete against Texas-Brownsville and Texas A&M-International at the Texas A&M-Kingsville Classic. The first match is scheduled to begin at noon.


   UAM VOLLEYBALL SPLITS ON DAY ONE OF UNA CLASSIC

   FLORENCE, AL --- The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossoms volleyball team (1-1) opened the 2006 season with a split at the University of North Alabama Classic, topping Albany State 3-1, and then falling to #9 North Alabama 3-0.

   In the opening game, the Cotton Blososoms started hot, pulling ahead 13-6 and holding the Rams at arm’s length down the stretch en route to a 30-19 opening game victory. ASU came back strong in the second game, knotting the match at 1-1 with a 30-25 victory, but the Blossoms returned to opening-game form in the third and fourth games, winning 30-17 and 30-19.

   Katherine Taju (Sr., Panama City, Panama) led both teams with 24 kills, hitting .364 for the match. Kameshia Melton (Jr., Grapevine, Texas) added 19 kills, hitting .361, and Amanda Sayre (Sr., Del City, Okla.) tallied 11 kills and hit .308.

   Maegan Martin (So., Burnet, Texas) dished out 52 assists, and Amie Kronk (Sr., San Antonio, Texas) added 13 digs and five service aces.

   Alona Brinson had 10 kills to lead Albany State.

   In the late match, the Blossoms struggled in the opening game against #9 North Alabama, falling 30-18. UAM was able to come back strong in the second and third games of the match, but ultimately fell short, dropping the second game 31-29, and the third game 30-28.

   Taju once again led all players with 13 kills, while Melton added 11 kills and Sayre added 10.

   UNA’s Danielle Palasak and Dee Ayres both had 12 kills.

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