SAN ANTONIO, TX – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team was unable to complete a five set comeback against Abilene Christian at the McDermott Center on Saturday afternoon for their first Southland Conference defeat of the season dropping the match against the Wildcats 3-2 (25-21, 25-19, 25-22, 25-15, and 15-9).

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Cardinals (4-10, 1-1 SLC) attack struggled to produce in the first set as the team registered seven kills and eight errors leading to an opening 25-21 set loss against Abilene Christian (2-15, 1-1 SLC) to begin the match. The Wildcat attack also struggled in the opening set with eight errors, five of which were service errors.
In the second, UIW played their best set of the match with 11 kills and a .400 hitting percentage on their way to a 25-19 victory to tie the match at 1-1. Autumn Lockley led the Cardinals with four kills and Bryaunea Hall added two.

In the third set, the Cardinals could not overcome seven attacking errors although they had 14 kills as a team. The Wildcats attack was very efficient in the third with 12 kills and only three errors. Jacey Smith led Abilene Christian with six kills in the set on their way to a 25-22 victory.

The Cardinals battled back in the fourth with a 25-15 set victory to take the match to a fifth for the second time this season. In the set, UIW had 14 kills and a .357 attacking percentage while the Wildcats had a .036 hitting percentage.

Abilene Christian jumped out to an early lead in the final set and they used a .385 attacking percentage to win the set 15-9 for their first Southland Conference victory of the season.

LEADERS

Lockley lead the Cardinals with 16 kills and a .238 attacking percentage while also notching her fifth double-double of the season with 14 digs. Freshman Emily Waller had a great performance with 10 kills and a team high .438 hitting percentage. Sierra Moses directed the Cardinal attack with 27 assists and Madison Williams added 20. Shaina Garza led the defense with 18 digs while Brittany Muller had 10.

Smith led the Wildcats with 14 kills and a .300 attacking percentage and Makenzie Kesler led Abilene Christian with 15 assists. Amanda Chapa had a team high 15 digs for the Wildcats.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals continue the season on Wednesday when they take on Prairie View A&M at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, UIW continues Southland Conference play when they travel to Natchitoches, TX to face Northwestern State at 1 p.m.