SAN ANTONIO, TX – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team was unable to get their fourth Southland Conference victory of the season after a 3-1 loss against Sam Houston State (9-9, 3-2 SLC) on Thursday night at the McDermott Center. The Cardinals now fall to 2-3 at home this season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Cardinals (5-12, 1-4 SLC) started the match with a 27-25 opening set defeat mainly due to a .143 attacking percentage which hurt the team early. Sarea Alexander led the Cardinals in the opening set with four kills and a .667 hitting percentage while Maddie Slaughter also added four kills.
 
The UIW attack came out focused in the second and the Cardinals were able pull away from the Bearkats late to secure a 25-19 set victory to tie the match at 1-1. Alexander once again led the attack with four more kills and Autumn Lockley played well with three kills in the set.
 
In the third, the Cardinals started off slow and never could get any rhythm offensively. The team only had seven kills and they also added seven errors while Sam Houston State had 12 kills with a .214 attacking percentage. For the Bearkats, Jordyn Vaughn had four kills to lead the team in the set.
 
Sam Houston State came out on fire in the fourth set and the team posted 19 kills with a .351 hitting percentage in the final frame as the Cardinals were unable to slow down the Beakat attack.
 
LEADERS
 
Alexander was the star for the Cardinals as she had a great all round performance. Not only did she lead the team with 12 kills and a .500 attacking percentage, but she also had 12 total blocks to lead the defense. Bryaunea Hall had 11 kills and three blocks while Lockley added eight kills and 14 digs. Madison Williams had a team high 22 assists and Sierra Moses contributed 19. Brittany Mueller had 16 digs while Shaina Garza finished with 10.
 
For the Bearkats, Vaughn led the team with 16 kills and Brooke White added 15. Michelle Griffith had a match high 46 assists and Addison Miller had a team high 18 digs.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals continue conference play this Saturday against Stephen F. Austin starting at 11 a.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.