SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team battled hard against the conference leader, Stephen F. Austin, on Thursday night at the McDermott center. Unfortunately, the Cardinals fell in three sets.
 
NOTABLES

• The UIW defense delivered a spirited effort, creating 71 digs as a team, which is the second most of any team in the conference through a three-set match this season.
• Five Cardinals recorded double-digit digs.
• Sophomore libero Madelynn Miller led the way defensively. She finished with 15 digs, while adding six assists.
• Freshman Pilar Gonzaba put up her second double-double of the season. She tallied 34 assists and 12 digs, in addition to two aces and a block.
• Freshman outside hitter Chloe Patton set her new season best with 14 digs. It was her sixth double-digit dig performance of the season.
• Patton finished with seven kills, a new season high, her first career collegiate block, and an assist.
• Freshman outside hitter Bethany Clapp had 14 digs. This continued a recent trend of strong defense from her. She now has 50 digs in her last four matches.
• Additionally, sophomore defensive specialist Alyssa Carlin delivered 10 digs for UIW.
• Sophomore outside hitter Julia Monday and senior middle blocker Maddie Slaughter led the team with 10 kills each.
• Slaughter finished with a .320 attack percentage, the best mark in her career when recording double-digit kills.
• Freshman middle blocker Carissa McGarity led the team with three blocks to go along with her nine kills on a team-best .500 hitting percentage.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 (25-18) | The LadyJack defense asserted themselves early, putting up a pair of blocks to allow SFA a quick lead. While UIW managed to bring cut unto the lead later on, the LadyJacks were keen to answer every time. SFA led the rest of the way and ended up taking the set by seven points. Clapp led the team with three kills. 
 
SET 2 (26-24) | The second set had a similar beginning to what would be a very different story. SFA jumped ahead once more, 12-7, but this time the Cardinals dug in went on a 9-2 run. Slaughter was the catalyst, recording two kills and two aces to give UIW its first lead of the night. SFA responded and eventually put together a short 3-0 run to lead, 23-20. The Cardinals were up to the task again, however, putting together a 3-0 rally of their own to tie the set. Ultimately, SFA secured the set, 26-24. The frame ended with nine ties and two lead changes. McGarity led the offensive effort with five kills.
 
SET 3 (25-20) | The final set began with both teams exchanging precise attacks, as told by nine different ties through the first 20 points. But, SFA took the lead, 11-10, and did not trail again. The Cardinals never backed down, but SFA captured the win. Monday was instrumental in the effort this set, finishing with seven kills on .462 hitting.
 
HEAR FROM COACH DABBS
"Great effort overall against a great team. Defensively today, we got a lot better. We dug a lot of balls and stayed in the long rallies. Unfortunately, we had 22 errors to their 10. We're just young and need to clean up our hitting errors. That'll help us stay in these tight matches!"
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals head back out on the road for a one-game jaunt into Louisiana. UIW faces McNeese on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. (CT) The Cardinals then have a nine-day break before traveling to Nicholls for a Thursday night tilt on Oct. 25. First serve for that contest is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
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