The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossoms were unable to keep pace with a red-hot Henderson State Lady Reddies squad, as the Lady Reddies picked up a 3-0 victory on Thursday at Steelman Fieldhouse.

   The Lady Reddies and Cotton Blossoms fought back-and-forth in the opening game, until HSU opened up a five-point, 16-11, advantage. The Lady Reddies would continue to build distance en route to a 30-20 victory in the opening game.

   HSU jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the second game before the Cotton Blossoms were able to score its first point, and then scored the next 14 points to take a 21-1 lead. UAM rallied late to pull to within 30-12 at the end of game two.

   The Cotton Blossoms took charge in the third game, racing out to an 18-8 lead before the Lady Reddies staged a rally of its own, eventually knotting the match at 28-28 before going ahead to take a 34-32 victory in the deciding game.

   HSU’s Edith Musebe led all players with 20 kills. Taura Rush (Jr., Joseph City, Ariz.) led UAM with 11 kills on the night, while Maegan Martin (Jr., Burnet, Texas) dished out a match-high 37 assists.