Michael Thomas
Staff Writer

Photo by Michael Thomas

Spiked - Kameshia Melton and Katherine Taju jump up to block a Keri Gilbert spike.

  The Cotton Blossoms volleyball team began a trend under head coach Nicole Smith; win more matches than the year before.

   The Blossoms win total rose each year since Smith became head coach. After an impressive run in the Gulf-South Conference tournament, the Blossoms will have its work cut out to continue the trend.

   With the lost of three key players, including GSC-West Player of the Year Katherine Taju, the team needs to continue to build on last year’s momentum and rely on newcomers to make an impact.

   “Team Chemistry will be important in our success,” Smith said. “Kameshia Melton, and Maegan Martin leadership and experience from last year should help us. This year we are more balanced and everyone is improving, I am very excited about this year team”

   The return of senior middle blocker Kameshia Melton and junior setter Maegan Martin should make the transition for the incoming players easier while they try to make winning a GSC title not just a goal, but a reality.

   UAM will host Grambling on Sept. 12 and Henderson State on Sept. 20, the first conference match.