SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – After dropping two matches in a row, the University of the Incarnate Word swept Eastern New Mexico University, 25-15, 25-15 and 25-11 in Lone Star Conference volleyball action on Saturday afternoon at the McDermott Center. (Box Score)

An off the charts hitting percentages led the Cardinals (7-10, 4-5) to a 3-0 win over the Zias. With an average attack percentage of .351, the Zias (5-12, 1-7) could not stop the Cardinals at the net.  Beth Soukup (Helotes/O'Connor HS) led the Cardinals attack with nine kills and four block assists.  Kelci Lind (Lindale/Lindale HS) finished off the match with eight kills, a .263 attack percentage and three service aces. 

“Coming off a loss is really hard to do and it was a learning experience,” said Soukup.  “It really showed our competitive side that we were able to come out and play so well today.”

Danielle Suarez (San Antonio/Antonian Prep) contributed 18 assists and 10 digs in the Cardinal win. Freshman setter Taylor McClelland (Cypress/Cypress Ranch HS) saw some time for the Cardinals in set three, dishing out four assists.

Defensively, the Cardinals held the Zias to a .077 attack percentage. Lindsey Barron led the Eastern New Mexico effort with 14 kills, while Kennedi Catano had all but one of the team's assists with 24. Lydia Werchan (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) led the Cardinals with 20 digs, 10 of which came in the first set of the match.

The Cardinals made it especially hard for the Zias to put it past them at the net with seven total team blocks. Tina Chavis (Houston/Bush HS) and Soukup led the effort with four block assists apiece.  Chavis also recorded a solo block in the match.

The Zias finished the match off with 28 kills and 44 digs compared to the Cardinals' 42 kills and 62 digs.

The Cardinals are back in action on Friday against Texas Woman's University in Denton at 5:00 p.m.
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