LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana-- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team jumped back into form with a tidy four set victory over McNeese, on the road, Tuesday night. Freshman outside hitter Bethany Clapp posted 20 kills for the first time this season as the Cardinals rallied from a set behind to take their second road victory of conference play.
 
NOTABLES

• Clapp earned a season-high 20 kills to lead all players.
• She becomes the first freshman to hit 20-or-more kills in a match since October 28, 2015 (Lockley – 23 vs. McNeese).
• She finished with 10 digs to collect her third double-double of the season, the most double-doubles on the team.
• The UIW defense posted a season-best 13 blocks, led by senior middle blocker Maddie Slaughter. She finished with six.
• Sophomore defensive specialist Alyssa Carlin enjoyed one of her best matches of the season, leading the team with a career-high 15 digs. It was her third 10+ dig effort of the season and the seventh of her career.
• Freshman outside hitter Chloe Patton was a menace at the net, earning a season-best four blocks after entering play with just two blocks in her career.
• Sophomore libero Madelynn Miller contributed to the offensive output, posting a season best, and tying her career high, with three aces.
• She was her usual self on defense, making 14 digs. It was her fourth consecutive match with double-digit digs and her 14th overall effort this season.
• Sophomore right side hitter Julia Monday had one of her best efforts of the season, finishing with 15 kills, five digs and three blocks. She's hit 10+ kills in seven matches now this season, including three of her last four.
• Freshman middle blocker Carissa McGarity led the team in attacking percentage, hitting .467 with nine kills. She was her typical self at the net as well, posting three blocks, including two solo stuffs.
• Freshman setter Kendall Kilchrist came off the bench to lead the team with 38 assists tonight. Her fourth 30+ assist match of the season.
• Freshman setter Pilar Gonzaba finished with nine assists. She now has 404 assists this season, the most by a freshman at UIW in a single season since joining Division I.
• UIW delivered McNeese its first home loss of 2018, while giving the Cardinals their third win in conference play.

 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 (22-25) | The Cardinals got off to a strong start, hitting .571 through the first 16 points of the set, but McNeese responded with a fury of points to take the lead, 16-12. UIW battled to the end of the frame, but the Cowgirls held onto the lead, taking the set by three. Monday led the team with four kills, while Slaughter and Patton paced the defensive effort, finishing with three blocks each.
 
SET 2 (25-23) | Both teams split the opening 16 points of the set, 8-8, before McNeese went on yet another run to take the lead, 12-8. This time, however, UIW responded with a flurry of its own as Clapp led the offense on a 6-0 run to retake the lead, 16-14. Some more elite defense from Slaughter held the McNeese offense at bay and UIW bounced back with a two-point set victory. Clapp led the team with five kills in the set. Slaughter increased her match total to five by adding two key blocks late in the set. Kilchrist did her part as well, contributing 12 assists after coming off the bench earlier in the match.
 
SET 3 (25-21) | This time, the first major rally of the set belonged to UIW. The Cardinals put together a 10-3 run to claim a 16-10 lead in the pivotal third set. With the lead established, UIW managed the remainder of play. Kilchrist spread the ball well to multiple Cardinal attackers and UIW finished off the set with a four-point margin. Clapp continued her great run of form, leading the team with seven kills. Kilchrist finished with 13 assists.
 
SET 4 (25-20) | Everyone contributed to the offensive effort for UIW as the team could taste a crucial conference road victory. Monday carried the torch early in the set, putting up a couple kills, before McGarity took over offensive duties to help UIW regain the lead, 13-12. From then on, the set belonged to Clapp. She finished with six kills in the set to put the Cowgirls away, securing the match for UIW.
 
HEAR FROM COACH DABBS
"Tonight was a great win on the road for us. McNeese has great size and runs a very fast tempo set to the outside. Their middles run a higher ball that is harder for blockers to time. We did a great job executing our blocking schemes on them. 
 
Our team realized, last weekend, that our blocking was the weakest part of our game. We knew how important it was to turn around quickly from Saturday to Tuesday and get better! So, tonight's effort there shows great resolve for us.
 
Bethany is growing with this game and has such a high ceiling. She did a great job again putting balls away for us. Our team pushes her every day and they did a nice job playing behind her."
 
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will enjoy a nine-day break before traveling back to Louisiana to face Nicholls for a Thursday night tilt on Oct. 25. First serve for that contest is set for 6:30 p.m. They follow that with a Saturday afternoon matchup against New Orleans at 1 p.m. (Oct. 27).

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