MALIBU, CALIFORNIA – The University of Incarnate Word volleyball team played their final match of the Pepperdine Asics Classic on Saturday against Utah Valley and dropped the match in four sets 26-24, 25-23, 19-25, 25-19.
The match started off very strong for the Cardinals (0-3) as they scored seven straight points early in the first set to take an 8-5 lead. However, the Wolverines (1-2) battled back with a run of their own and the set was very competitive all the way up to the final points. Although the Cardinals held a 24-22 advantage late in the set, they were unable to stop a Utah Valley run which resulted in four straight points and gave the set win to the Wolverines, 26-24.
The second set was also very competitive as each team was unable to separate themselves early in the contest. The Cardinals started the set with three straight points, but much like the first set, the Wolverines battled back with various runs of their own. After a kill by
Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS), UIW took a late 23-21 lead, but like the first set, the Cardinals were unable to stop a late charge as the Wolverines won the set 25-23 after scoring the last four points.
The third set of the match was the highlight of the day for the Cardinals. Unlike the first two sets, UIW was able to put together a late run of their own and finish off the Wolverines for their first set win of the young season. Not only did the Cardinals finish the set strong, they started with four straight points to start the set forcing Utah Valley to take an early timeout. Leading the team's attack in the third set was
Sarea Alexander (San Antonio/MacArthur HS) and Garza who combined for nine kills in the set and helped the Cardinals to a 25-19 set victory.
In the final set of the match, the Cardinals were unable to take control midway through the set, which led to a 25-19 victory for Utah Valley in the fourth set. After a kill by Alexander to trim the Wolverines lead to 17-13, Utah Valley scored five unanswered points to take control of the match.
"We have had different players step up their game this weekend," said UIW head coach Jen Montoya. "Today, I was very proud of our middle blocker,
Sarea Alexander. She hit over .600 with 14 kills and not a single error leading all players. She made some changes from the day before and was outstanding at the net. I thought
Taylor McClelland was in a good rhythm all match. She kept us in the game with her setting choices. We were also able to go on runs with her at the service line."
Alexander and Garza had very strong performances for the Cardinals as Alexander had 14 kills with a .609 hitting percentage and Garza picked up 11 kills. Leading the team in assists for the third straight match was senior
Taylor McClelland (Cypress/Cypress Ranch HS) who had 23 for the match.
Claudia Hernandez (San Antonio/Antonian HS also had an impressive performance with a team high 17 digs to go along with six assists. Freshman
Autumn Lockley (Leander/Leander HS) followed up her strong performance yesterday with another solid performance. She had 10 digs to go along with nine kills.
The Cardinals played the match against Utah Valley without two of their normal starters in senior
Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS) and junior
Brittani Dear (La Vernia/La Vernia HS) who were each out with injuries. McClelland was named to the all-tournament team for her performance in the three matches.
The UIW Volleyball team continues their season when they travel to Edinburg, TX to play in the UT-Rio Grande Valley Tournament starting on September 4. The Cardinals start the tournament by taking on the host team UT-Rio Grande Valley, at 11 a.m. on Friday.
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