Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team pulled off an amazing upset on Thursday night over Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State in five sets at the McDermott Center.  The Cardinals (8-8, 3-4) defeated the first place Bearkats (9-7, 6-1) 25-15, 25-20, 18-25, 25-27, 15-13.

The Cardinals dominated the first two sets using a strong attack and excellent back line defense.  UIW posted a .254 attack percentage and held the Bearkats to an attack percentage of .097 in the first two sets.  Sam Houston got back into the match when they won the third set.

The fourth set looked like it was going to the Cardinals.  They grabbed a lead early in the set and continued to build upon it until they held an 18-13 advantage.  The Bearkats bounced back by scoring the next six points to take a 19-18 lead.  UIW reclaimed the lead after three consecutive attack errors by the visitors.  The set went back and forth from there until SHSU pulled out a 27-25 win to force a fifth set.

The fifth set was a tightly contest affair that was tied at 6-6.  The Cardinals followed with four straight points, but the Bearkats answered and pulled to within 11-10.  UIW reclaimed the advantage by scoring three of the next four points.  The Cardinals had three match points and it took all three to finally win after a kill by Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS).

The Cardinals finished the match with 59 kills, 101 digs, 8.0 blocks and a .137 attack percentage.  Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS) led the team with 18 kills, 19 digs and a .269 attack.  Vidaurri added 14 kills and six blocks while Brittani Dear (La Vernia/La Vernia HS) had 12 kills and 20 digs.  Sarah Cardenas (San Antonio/O'Connor HS) led the team with 28 digs while Danielle Suarez (San Antonio/Antonian HS) added 26 assists and 18 digs.

The Bearkats had 53 kills, 104 digs, 10.0 blocks and a .111 attack percentage.  Devene Wells-Gibson led all players with 21 kills and added 18 digs.  Lauren Bohlen was the only other player on the team with double-digit kills, 13.  Tayler Gray had a great match with 46 assists and 30 digs while Haley Neisler had 10 blocks.

The Cardinals became the first SLC school to defeat the Bearkats this year.  UIW is back in action on Saturday at 2 p.m. against Lamar.
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