SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Coming off a 3-0 loss to No. 9 Angelo State University on Friday night, the University of the Incarnate Word rallied for a huge 3-1 win against Tarleton State University at home on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals defeated the TexAnns 25-20, 16-25, 25-21 and 25-21 in Lone Star Conference play. (Box Score)
 
Determined to break a three match losing streak, the Cardinals (9-17, 6-11) came out strong in the first set against the TexAnns (20-8, 13-5), finishing the set with a .371 attacking percentage.  The Cardinals would not be able to match their attacking percentage from the first set in the next three sets.  Despite dropping set number two to Tarleton and only putting up 11 kills, the Cardinals would bounce back in sets three and four.

Tarleton State led 12-6 in the fourth set and it looked like the Cardinals were headed to a fifth set.  After a Cardinals timeout, UIW went on a 6-0 run to tie the set at 12-12.  The Cardinals would trade points with the TexAnns before extending their lead and finishing the TexAnns off, 25-21. 

Kelci Lind (Lindale/Lindale) registered a double-double for the Cardinals with 13 kills and 15 digs.  Lind led the team in kills and was just five digs short of leading in digs.  Beth Soukup (Helotes/O'Connor) and Stephanie Bonura (Houston/Lutheran North) would each pick up nine kills in the Cardinals win.  With 22 assists and 10 digs, Danielle Suarez (San Antonio/Antonian Prep) also recorded a double-double for the Cardinals. Sarah Cardenas (San Antonio/O'Connor) dished out 20 assists.  Coming up big for the defense was Lydia Werchan (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley) with 19 digs.

The Cardinals finished the match with 52 kills, 64 digs and five total team blocks. Despite their low attacking percentages in the middle two sets, the Cardinals would end the match with a .193 attacking percentage overall.

Almost identical to the Cardinals, Tarleton State registered 53 digs and 63 digs. The TexAnns also picked up a 12 total team blocks.  Stacie Murrah led the Tarleton offense with 16 kills.  Danielle Barker directed the offense with 44 assists in the match. 
Defensively, Emily Klein led the TexAnns with 18 digs and Nikki McNorton had six blocks.

The Cardinals are back in action on Nov. 6 at home against Texas A&M-Kingsville at 7 p.m. This will be the Cardinals last home game of the season.
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