COMMERCE, TEXAS – For the second time this year, the University of the Incarnate Word was swept by Lone Star Conference rival Texas A&M-Commerce. (Box Score)

The Lions (15-6, 6-5) defeated the Cardinals Saturday afternoon by a score of 25-23, 25-22, 25-23 at The Field House in Commerce.  Rachel Robertson led the way for the Lions with 12 kills and a .385 attacking percentage.

In the first and third sets, the Lions significant leads late in the set before the Cardinals (7-12, 4-7) closed the gap.  In the second set, UIW held a 22-21 lead, but the Lions scored the final four points of the set.

Kelci Lind (Lindale/Lindale) led the Cardinals attack with 10 kills in the match.  Danielle Suarez (San Antonio/Antonian Prep) and Sarah Cardenas (San Antonio/O'Connor) helped out the Incarnate Word offense with 12 and 10 assists, respectively.  Each player also picked up some defensive stats with eight digs for Suarez and nine for Cardenas.

Lydia Werchan (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley HS) had another strong game defensively for the Cardinals.  She led the team with 15 digs and picked up two service aces.  Cardenas and Tina Chavis (Houston/Bush HS) also had two service aces against the Lions.  Despite the loss, the Cardinals held a greater attacking percentage in the third set with .262 to their .156.

The Lions ended the match with 46 kills, 72 digs and 6 block assists.  In addition to Robertson, Ezon Onditi had 10 kills while Jordan Neal had 35 assists.  Defensively, Michaela Spicer recorded 22 digs in the match.

The Cardinals had 34 kills, a .133 attacking percentage and 65 digs. With 10 digs to compliment her 10 kills, Lind picked up another double-double.  Beth Soukup (Helotes/O'Connor HS) helped out with 11 digs and seven kills.

The Cardinals are back in action on Wednesday against old Heartland Conference rival, St. Mary's.  The match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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