HOUSTON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team was edged by Southland Conference rival Houston Baptist University on Saturday afternoon 25-23, 32-30, 23-25, 29-27.
The Cardinals (4-13, 2-13) and Huskies (11-11, 4-4) had all four sets decided by two points and two of the sets went to extra play. In the end the Cardinals were unable to get the key points they needed to knock off the Huskies.
In the first set, the Huskies held a small advantage for the majority of the set and took an 18-14 lead after a UIW attack error. The Cardinals came back and were able to tie the set at 20-20 and the teams were then tied at 21, 22 and 23 before HBU put it away thanks to a UIW attack error and a kill by Allison Doerpinghaus.
The second set began with the Huskies jumping out to a 10-4 lead. They still led 13-8 before the Cardinals came flying back.
Autumn Lockley (Leander/Leander HS) led the charge with three quick kills. UIW would finally tie the score at 18-18 after a kill by
Madison Williams (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) and then the score would go back-and-forth. The Cardinals had set point three different times, but could not put it away. HBU scored the final three points on a block followed by back-to-back kills from Bailey Banks.
The third set featured 17 ties before the Cardinals were finally able to put out the win.
Bryaunea Hall (Copperas Cove/Copperas Cove HS) had a key block and two kills down the stretch to put the Cardinals in position to win the set. Lockley pounded out a kill to give the team set point and then
Jordan Reifsteck (Allen/Oswego East (IL) HS) served up an ace to win it.
In the fourth set, the Huskies built up a 16-11 lead before the Cardinals got back in the match. Attack errors by HBU allowed the Cardinals to tie the set and then
Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS) and Lockley pounded back-to-back kills to take a 21-19 lead. UIW held a 23-21 lead when a pair of blocks by the Huskies gave them back the momentum. The Cardinals had one set point chance, but could not take advantage and HBU held on for the win.
The Cardinals had 63 kills, 57 digs, 11 blocks and a .244 attack. Lockley led the team with 20 kills and a .312 attack while Vidaurri added 13 kills on a .440 attack.
Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS) had a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs.
Taylor McClelland (Cypress/Cypress Ranch HS) had 29 assists and
Kaitlyn Brooks (Sugar Land/Fort Bend Austin HS) had 24 assists. Hall finished with seven blocks.
The Huskies had 63 kills, 68 digs, 12 blocks and a .250 attack. Banks and Doerpinghaus each had 16 kills. Doerpinghaus posted a .591 attack and had nine blocks. Kayla Armer dished out 50 assists and led all players with 18 digs.
The Cardinals are back in action on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Southeastern Louisiana.
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