SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team played a tightly contested match against Southland Conference rival McNeese State University on Saturday afternoon at the McDermott Center and held on for a 25-19, 23-25, 27-25, 26-28, 15-11 victory.
Every set seemed to be in doubt as the teams combined for 29 ties and 12 lead changes in the match. The Cardinals (10-18, 6-8) were nearly kicking themselves after blowing four match points in the fourth set, but they responded with a hard fought win in the fifth set.
The first set was a harbinger of what would happen the rest of the match. It was tied 17-17 when the Cardinals scored four straight points to grab hold of the set. They raced to the finish outscoring the Cowgirls (14-16, 4-10), 8-2 over the final 10 points.
Sarea Alexander (San Antonio/MacArthur HS) and
Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS) each had a pair of kills during the run.
In the second set, the Cardinals ran into the service game of Malina Sanchez. Sanchez entered the match with 61 aces on the season. She turned around a 16-12 deficit with a pair of aces that got the Cowgirls on track. Later, she served out the set with her third of five aces in the match.
The Cardinals came out of the 10-minute break and jumped out to an early lead in the third set, but the Cowgirls responded to take a 10-7 advantage. UIW followed with a 9-1 run to take a 16-11 lead, but could not run away from the visitors. The teams were tied at 19, 20, 24 and 25 before a ball-handling error by MSU and a kill by
Bryaunea Hall (Copperas Cove/Copperas Cove HS) gave the set to UIW.
The amazing comeback by the Cowgirls forced the decisive fifth set. The Cardinals jumped out to an 8-2 lead and tried to finish it quickly, but McNeese was able to get within three points on four occasions. Finally, kills by
Hope Kelley (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge HS) and
Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS) secured the win for the Cardinals.
UIW finished the match with 68 kills, 76 digs, 10.0 blocks and seven aces while posting a .225 attack percentage. Vidaurri led the team with 18 kills, five digs and five blocks while Hall added 14 kills and six blocks. Garza finished with 12 kills and 16 digs for a double-double.
Madison Williams (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) dished out a match-high 51 assists and
Jordan Reifsteck (Allen/Oswego East HS) led the team with 20 digs.
The Cowgirls tallied 56 kills, 66 digs, 6.0 blocks and nine aces with a .207 attack. Rachel Cagnina led the team with 17 kills, five blocks and a .405 attack. Sanchez had a double-double with 13 kills, 10 digs and five aces. Kelly Graham dished out 48 assists while Adison Giambrone had 17 digs.
The Cardinals are back in action on Thursday at home against Northwestern State with the start time set for 7 p.m.
####
pr14522smm
