EDINBURG, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team picked up an impressive victory on the road at UT Rio Grande Valley on Friday morning, 26-24, 25-20, 25-17.
The Cardinals (1-3) controlled the action throughout most of the match although the Vaqueros (2-3) made things interesting in the first two sets. UIW bolted out to a commanding lead in the first set, 19-12 after a kill by
Madison Williams (New Braunfels/Canyon HS). UTRGV followed with a run that would eventually give them a 24-23 lead after a kill by Megan Dempsey. The Cardinals recovered after a timeout to win the set thanks to a pair of kills by
Autumn Lockley (Leander/Leander HS) and an attack error by the Vaqueros.
In the second set, the home team led 15-12 after a service ace by Alisha Watson and appeared ready to even up the match. However, the Cardinals battled back by scoring four straight points thanks to the strong service of
Sarea Alexander (San Antonio/MacArthur HS). After tying the set at 18-18, the Cardinals scored seven of the last nine points to take the set. Alexander and
Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS) finished it off with back-to-back kills.
The third set was close at the beginning, but the Cardinals wore down the Vaqueros to take the victory. Watson served up an ace for UTRGV to tie the score at 14-14, but then UIW scored the next six points to take control and they cruised to the win.
"Our setters did a nice job of distributing the ball today to create a very balanced offense thanks to the solid serve-receive passing of our libero
Claudia Hernandez (San Antonio/Antonian HS)," said UIW head coach Jen Montoya. "We had both middles put up some great numbers. Defensively, we played relentless. We had three players end the match with 14 digs and
Bryaunea Hall (Copperas Cove/Copperas Cove HS) dominated the net with eight block assists. Overall, it was a great team effort."
The Cardinals posted a .200 attack percentage with 45 kills. Hall finished with 10 kills and a .588 attack while
Autumn Lockley (Leander/Leander HS) and Alexander each had eight kills and only one attack error.
Taylor McClelland (Cypress/Cypress Ranch HS) had a double-double with 18 assists and 10 digs. Overall, the team had 65 digs and 10.0 blocks.
The Vaqueros had a .113 attack with 33 kills. Haley Durham had a strong match with 11 kills, a .500 attack and four blocks. Tina Sekulic added a double-double with 28 assists and 13 digs.
The Cardinals play two matches on Saturday against San Jose State at 11 a.m. and Southern at 3:30 p.m. Both matches are played at the UTRGV Tournament.
####
pr15403smm
