INCARNATE WORD d. ST. MARY'S
21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 15-6
Things weren't looking so good for Incarnate Word before the worm turned in set number four as the Cardinals came back from the edge to defeat St. Mary's 3-2 in Heartland Conference volleyball action.
With the win Incarnate Word rose to 14-4 on the year including 4-1 in the Heartland. St. Mary's fell to 3-13 and 2-3 in league play.
Playing before a season-high home crowd of 713, the Cardinals watched as the St. Mary's defense played at the top of its game through three sets to go ahead 2-1. Set four found the two squads fairly even on the scoreboard at 11-8 for the Cardinals when UIW ran off seven of the next 11 points to go up 18-10 to seemingly be in control.
The Ratters rallied to get it to 18-16 thanks to two kills and two Incarnate Word errors but UIW captured the next five points and the set was done.
Incarnate Word got a pep talk on the bench between sets four and five and the Cardinals responded. Ahead 3-2 UIW had senior defensive specialist Stephanie Tomasik at the service line. As she continually put the ball in play UIW got it to 8-2 with two kills and three St. Mary's errors.
The Rattlers then collected one point before senior outside Emily Kopecki served four more points including two more SMU errors and the match was out of reach at 13-3.
On the night senior middle Edie Weise was the UIW leader with her 17 kills and .484 hitting percentage. She also registered a pair of blocks and one block assist. Junior Sarah Nordman posted a match high 37 assists to go with her own nine kills.
Displaying superior defense the Rattlers had three players in double digits for digs. Stephanie Flores with 13 led the way while Allie Murray had 12 and Katelyn Kershner had 10.
These two squads now will join together to host the UIW-St. Mary's Regional Tournament. Matches will be played at both schools on Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3. Incarnate Word opens Friday at 3 p.m. against Texas Woman's.
STM: Kills, Kirsten Chapman, 12; Assists, Allie Murray 26; Aces, Katelyn Kershner 4; Digs, Stephanie Flores 12; Blocks, 0.
UIW: Kills, Edie Weise 17; Assists, Sarah Nordman 37; Aces, Nordman 3; Digs, Spencer Ladd 17; Blocks, Weise 3.
RECORDS:
St. Mary's 3-13 (2-3)
Incarnate Word 14-4 (4-1)
