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HOW IT HAPPENED
SET 1 (26-24) |Â UTRGV got off to a strong start, grabbing an early lead and maintaining it through much of the set. With the score 18-21 in favor of the Vaqueros, Dabbs called a late timeout. From there, the Cardinals went on a four-point run, due in large part to a pair of aces from freshman Middle BlockerÂ
Carissa McGarity. UTRGV tried to rally off of a late timeout of its own, but a right-side attack fromÂ
Monday sealed the set victory for UIW.
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SET 2 (20-25) |Â The second set saw the Vaqueros jump out to an 8-4 lead, which ballooned to as much as a seven-point lead later in the set. UIW won five of six points late in the set, powered by a trio of kills fromÂ
Lockley, but the rally fell short as UTRGV won the set, 25-20.
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SET 3 (14-25) |Â UIW came out strong, jumping out to a 13-12 advantage, but UTRGV found momentum and secured the set win and a 2-1 match lead. Clapp led the Cardinals with four kills.
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SET 4 (21-25) |Â Senior middle blockerÂ
Maddie Slaughter and freshman outside hitterÂ
Chloe Patton showcased some offensive prowess early in the critical fourth set, helping lead the Cardinals to a 7-7 score line. UTRGV went on to win five of the next six points, holding the resulting lead until a late timeout with the score 16-22. Once again, UIW came out firing from the timeout, going on a four-point run with kills from Slaughter and Monday and an ace from Miller to make it 20-22. UTRGV ultimately held off the Cardinal rally and took the final set.
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HEAR FROM HEAD COACH SAMANTHA DABBS
"We had a quick turnaround from Saturday to tonight's match. We focused mainly on defense in practice and trying to slow down the UTRGV offense. They're a big team, very offensive. Defensively we had to make some adjustments but fell short. During our timeouts we kept saying do your job, take care of the tips and rolls and we will be able to stay in this game with our dynamic offense. We're getting better and soon it will pay off."
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UP NEXT
The Cardinals open their home slate with a Sept. 7 matchup against UT Arlington. The contest against the Mavericks is slated for a 6 p.m. (CT) first serve in the McDermott Convocation Center.
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FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visitÂ
uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on TwitterÂ
@UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook atÂ
UIW Athletics.
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