SAN ANTONIO, TX – After a thrilling victory on Thursday night against Lamar, the University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team produced another classic match in a 3-2 win over Houston Baptist (14-10, 5-3 SLC) on Saturday afternoon in the McDermott Center. The Cardinals (7-13, 3-5 SLC) now have a two match-winning streak and they picked up their third Southland Conference victory of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The UIW attack started out sluggish to begin the match as the team only posted seven kills while accumulating eight errors, which led to a 25-17 Huskies win in the first set. In the opening frame, there were seven lead changes but the cardinals could not overcome a mid-set run from Houston Baptist.
 
In the second, the Cardinals defense held the Huskies to eight kills and the UIW attack came alive. Maddie Slaughter played very well offensively leading the Cardinals with four kills in the set on their way to a 25-21 win to tie the match at 1-1. Autumn Lockley added three kills and Madison Williams was spectacular with the serve getting three of the team's five aces in the set.
 
Houston Baptist struggled with their attack in the third as they had eight errors and a .088 attacking percentage. On the other hand, UIW was great with 15 kills and a .290 hitting percentage. The set was undecided late, but the Cardinals were able to score five out of the final seven points to get a 25-21 set victory and take a 2-1 match lead.
 
The Cardinals carried their momentum from the third set and went on an early seven-point run to gain a 12-6 lead over the Huskies. However, down the stretch, Houston Baptist would battle back and force the match to a decisive fifth set with a 25-23 win. During the set, Bryaunea Hall had three of the team's 11 kills to lead the Cardinal's attack.
 
In the final set, neither team could gain an advantage as there were 12 tied scores and six lead changes throughout the frame. The biggest lead during the period was three and the key play occurred when Sierra Moses set up Lockley for a powerful kill to give UIW a 19-18 lead. Lockley was then able to win the set and the match with a service ace on the next play to give the Cardinals their second straight five set victory.
 
LEADERS
 
Hall had her best performance of the season with a team high 16 kills and a .324 attacking percentage. She also had a team high six total blocks and finished the day with 20.0 points scored. Lockley had 13 kills and a season high 24 digs for her seventh double-double on the season and Shaina Garza also had a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs. Claudia Hernandez finished with 20 digs and Williams had a team high 28 assists while Moses contributed 24. The Cardinals had 59 total kills with a .164 attacking percentage.
 
Blair Gillard led the Huskies with 16 kills and a .519 hitting percentage. Ashlee Vann added 13 kills and Melissa Fuchs finished with 11 kills and a team high 18 digs. Kayla Armer had a match high 45 assists and she also had 12 digs.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals will travel to Hammond, LA on Thursday as they continue conference play against Southeastern Louisiana starting at 6 p.m.
 
STAY TUNED
 
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