NATCHITOCHES, LA – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team fell to Northwestern State 3-1 on Saturday afternoon for their third Southland Conference defeat of the season. The Cardinals now fall to 2-3 away from the McDermott Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Cardinals (5-11, 1-3 SLC) and the Lady Demons traded the lead in the first set and neither team could pull away midway through the first frame. However, after UIW came within two points of the Northwestern State lead at 20-18, and the Lady Demons responded with a late run to win the opening set 25-21.
 
The second set was also very close to the final point and this time it was the Cardinals turn to make a late push as the team scored the final three points to win the set 25-20 behind four kills from Autumn Lockley.
 
The Lady Demons (9-11, 4-1 SLC) started out the third set on fire and they had a 21-14 lead at one point. The Cardinals were able to go on a five-point run to close the deficit to 21-19, but Northwestern State scored four straight points to win the set 25-19.
 
In the final set, the Cardinals were once again within two points late trailing 22-20, but the Lady Demons scored the final three points to win the set 25-20 and win the match 3-1.
 
LEADERS
 
Lockley led the Cardinals attack with 13 kills and a .220 hitting percentage. She also added 11 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Emily Waller also had a good performance with nine kills and a team high .286 attacking percentage. Sarea Alexander had eight kills and three blocks while Brittany Muller had a team high 15 digs. Sierra Moses directed the Cardinal attack with 23 assists. The team had 47 kills with a .175 hitting percentage.
 
Northwestern State had four players with double digit kills and they were led by Kourtney Seaton and Alexis Warren who each had 12 kills. Natalie Jaeger led the Lady Demons with 46 assists and Channing Burleson had a team high 21 digs.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals continue Southland Conference play when they host Sam Houston State on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the McDermott Center.
 
STAY TUNED
 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.