Despite placing five players in double-digit kills, the University of Arkansas - Monticello Cotton Blossoms (9-16, 1-7 GSC) dropped a 3-2 decision to the Ouachita Baptist University Lady Tigers Thursday at Steelman Fieldhouse.

  The Blossoms dropped a 37-35 heartbreaker in the opening game before picking up 30-28 and 30-26 victories in games two and three before OBU rallied to take a 30-23 win in game four and a 15-11 win in the fifth game.

   Junior Taura Rush (Joseph City, Ariz.) led UAM with 17 kills. Senior Kameshia Melton (Grapevine, Texas) added 16, sophomore Sara Kindred (Frisco, Texas) had 14, sophomore Nicole Ferguson (Brentwood, Tenn.) added 11 and junior MacKenzie Willis (Andrews, Texas) added 10.

   Junior Maegan Martin (Burnet, Texas) dished out a match-high 55 assists and led UAM with 30 digs, while first-year student Stephanie Hatten (Baytown, Texas) added 28, Willis added 21, first-year student Vikki Crisco (Saginaw, Texas) added 15 and Rush added 13. 

   The Cotton Blossoms returned action Friday, Oct. 19 traveling to Grambling, La. for a match against Grambling.