MIDWESTERN STATE 3, INCARNATE WORD 2
(22-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 16-14)

The Cardinals came out strong against  the Mustangs and went up 2-0 before struggling the next two sets, forcing them to a fifth set.  UIW battled with MSU in set five, trading points back and forth before finally falling to the Mustangs 16-14.

Junior outside hitter Stephanie Bonura led the Cardinals with kills with 17 and managed to pitch in on the defensive side as well with 14 digs.  Freshman outside hitter Kelci Lind also had a big night with 48 total attacks and 11 kills for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals defense put up exceptionally impressive numbers against MSU.  With five Cardinals maintaining double digit dig stats, UIW made it very hard for MSU to score points.  Lydia Werchan, junior libero, led the Cardinals in digs with 28 and right behind her was sophomore setter Danielle Suarez with 24. Suarez also led UIW in assists with 28.

The Cardinals had 11 total team blocks and four of those belonged to senior middle blocker Daniella Vidaurri, who ended the night with two solo blocks and two block assists.

Commanding the Mustang offense were junior outside hitter Shelbi Stewart with 21 kills and freshman setter Kristan Aduddell with 31 assists. Likewise, senior outside hitter Miranda Byrd had 19 kills and junior setter Kimberly Jeffrey had 27 assists.

Key players in preventing a Cardinal sweep were senior libero Kiara Jordan and sophomore middle blocker Caitlin Wallace.  Jordan had 40 digs at the end of the night and Wallace had five blocks - one block solo and four block assists.  Byrd also had one block solo and four block assists for a total of five blocks.


The Cardinals road trip will continue as UIW takes on Cameron Saturday, Oct. 22.  Game time is set to start at 2 p.m.