MONTICELLO, Ark. – After having play suspended for two weeks due to Covid protocol, Henderson State dropped its match against Arkansas-Monticello inside Steelman Fieldhouse on senior night for UAM, 3-1. The Reddies won by way of the same tally earlier in the year when playing on their home court in the Duke Wells Center.
 
Henderson controlled much of the first set, taking the opening frame 25-21, as it looked like it was going to be an enjoyable welcome back party for HSU. The Blossoms spoiled that party, however, as three straight sets, including a second set which at one point saw Arkansas-Monticello ahead 23-11, going the home team's way put an end to UAM's two-match home skid.
 
The Blossoms won the final three sets by a combined score of 75-53. After falling in the second frame 25-14, Henderson did find itself ahead 14-12 in the third set, but a 13-4 run from UAM to close out the set gave it the 2-1 lead heading into the potential final set.
 
Once again, the Reddies saw a brief lead in what would wind up being the final set of the match at 19-16, but failed to hold on to the advantage as six unanswered points from UAM had the scoreboard favoring the Blossoms, 22-19. With HSU closing the gap to 22-20 as it tried to force a fifth set, three of the last four points went the home team's way as Arkansas-Monticello got its revenge on Henderson State with a final set score of 25-21.  
 
The Reddies (3-5, 3-5) will look to get back in the groove of things as they have two days to regroup before returning to the Duke Wells Center for the first time since Feb. 26 when HSU welcomes Arkansas Tech on Friday, Mar. 26 at 6 p.m. In the first meeting between these two teams, ATU barely edged out HSU in a five-set thriller, 3-2.