Box Score PHOENIX, ARIZONA – The University of the Incarnate Word and Abilene Christian University volleyball teams met for a third time this season and for a third time the Cardinals won in three sets.  UIW pulled out a 27-25, 30-28, 25-23 victory played on the campus of Grand Canyon University.

The Cardinals (13-12) and Wildcats (6-18) were never separated by much during the entire match, but UIW was able to make the plays when it counted.  In the first set, they turned away two ACU set points and took the set on a Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS) service ace. 

The Cardinals jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the second set and threatened to pull away numerous times, but the Wildcats hung tight.  UIW had four set points and the ACU had one in the set and the Cardinals finally won 30-28 on a ball-handling error by the Wildcats.

The third set looked like the Wildcats were going to finally grab a set win.  They led by four points on three different occasions, including a 20-16 lead.  UIW outscored the Wildcats, 9-3 to close the match and did it by committing fewer errors than ACU.

UIW finished the match with 47 kills, 72 digs, 5.0 blocks and a .175 attack percentage.  Brittani Dear (La Vernia/La Vernia HS) led the team with 15 kills and 20 digs while posting a .250 attack.  Garza finished with 11 kills and 12 digs.  Danielle Suarez (San Antonio/Antonian HS) also posted a double-double with 19 assists and 11 digs.

The Wildcats had 45 kills, 78 digs, 7.0 blocks and a .148 attack percentage.  Lexi Mercier had 13 kills, five blocks and a .370 attack to lead the team.  Neely Borger added 11 kills while Caley Johnson led all players with 24 digs.  Sarah Siemens dished out 33 assists.

The Cardinals close out the season with a match against Grand Canyon later tonight.
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