INCARNATE WORD 3, ST. MARY'S 0

(25-19, 25-20, 25-20)

The Cardinals took on old Heartland Conference rivals, St. Mary's, in an intense, non-conference match up on Tuesday night in the McDermott Center.  The Cardinals took out the Rattlers in three.  This win came after a three game losing streak for UIW.    

The Cardinals came out strong, leading throughout set one.  The Cardinals and the Rattlers traded the first 9 points of the second set before UIW broke out into a four point lead.  The Cardinals wouldn't fall behind St. Mary's for the rest of the night.

Driving the Cardinal offense was hitting duo, Stephanie Bonura, junior outside hitter, and Daniella Vidaurri, senior middle blocker with 13 kills each.  Vidaurri maintained a .632 hitting percentage against the Rattlers.  As usual, senior setter Sarah Nordman and sophomore setter Danielle Suarez led the Cardinal offense in assists with 18 and 26.

Defensively, while the Cardinals only had two team blocks, they had 44 digs.  Leading UIW in that category was Lydia Werchan, junior libero, with 16.  Werchan was the only Cardinal with double digit digs.

For the Rattlers, senior middle blocker Stephanie Proske and freshman middle blocker Taylor Obermiller led in kills with 8 and junior setter Allie Murray led in assists with 31.  Freshman libero Victoria Martinez led in digs with 16 of the Rattlers 39.

The Rattlers are now 15-10 overall and the Cardinals are 11-14 overall and 6-10 in the Lone Star Conference.

The Cardinals next three games will be on the road as they take on Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas Woman's and Texas A&M-Kingsville.  The Cardinals play Texas A&M-Commerce on Oct. 27.  Game time is set to start at 7 p.m.