Box Score CONWAY, ARKANSAS – The University of the Incarnate Word ran into a buzz saw on Saturday at Central Arkansas as they fell to the Bears 25-12, 25-23, 25-7.

The Cardinals (4-4) fell to 0-2 in the Southland Conference with the loss and struggling on the attack in the first and third sets with negative attack percentages.  In the second set, UIW gave the Bears (10-3, 2-0) all they could handle.

The Cardinals held a small lead for a large portion of the second set and the score was still tied at 22-22 before the Bears pulled away.  A kill by Kyle Hartman and an ace by Beth Rogers gave the home team a two-point lead.  Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS) responded with a kill for the Cardinals, but Scout Brooks closed it out with a kill.

The Cardinals finished the match with 22 kills and a .076 attack percentage.  Garza led the team with six kills.  Taylor McClelland (Cypress/Cypress Falls HS) added 12 assists and Sarah Cardenas (San Antonio/O'Connor HS) had 13 digs.

The Bears posted an impressive .426 attack percentage and had 50 kills in the match.  Fulani Petties led the way with 12 kills and a .632 attack and Hartman added 10 kills.  Marissa Collins directed the offense with 37 assists while Shelbee Berringer led the defense with 21 digs.

The Cardinals return home on Thursday night at 7 p.m. against Nicholls State for their LSC home opener.
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