Box Score PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team fell to Prairie View A&M in a five-set thriller that went down to the wire following a Cardinal comeback after trailing by two sets early in the match at the Baby Dome on Friday evening.
 
"We knew going into this season that we were going to face a lot of obstacles, and today we faced them head on," said head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas. "We had less than 24 hours to prepare two defensive specialists at the setter position, and our team did a great job of tackling practice to prepare them."
 
"I am extremely proud of this team for taking on the challenge tonight. Prairie View did a great job battling through the entire match. You have to give them credit for coming out with so much energy. This is what non-conference is all about: playing hard-fought matches to expose your weaknesses and your strengths!"
 
Prairie View claimed the first two sets of the match at 25-22 and 25-20, respectively. In both sets, the Cardinals made a push to close in on the Panthers but fell short.
 
The beginning of the third set was a back-and-forth battle with five ties early on. With the set tied at seven-all, the Cardinals were cleared for liftoff and went on a 10-4 run to put themselves well in the lead, limiting the Panthers to just eight more points and eventually claiming the set.
 
UIW got ahead early in the fourth set (3-1) but the Panthers answered accordingly as the match went point for point until a solo block by Jaqueline Arrington broke the 21-all tie. A combination of a Prairie View error, a kill by Arrington and a service ace by Bethany Clapp and UIW clawed back to take the match into the fifth set.
 
Like the earlier sets, the fifth set was another back-and-forth battle between the squads. After six ties, it looked as if the Panthers were pulling away by going on a 3-0 run to lead 11-8, inching closer to the needed 15 points. Still, UIW fought back and prepared for match point with a lead of 15-14. The Panthers answered accordingly with three consecutive kills to claim the match.
 
NOTABLES

• Clapp led the Cardinals with 19 kills, one assist, and 14 digs.
• In her first collegiate appearance, Britney Ong had a team-high 20 digs in the match.
• Nine Cardinals played in their first match representing UIW; seven of those were freshman in their first collegiate appearance.

 
UP NEXT
UIW takes on Alamo City rival UTSA on the Roadrunners' home court in the Convocation Center on Sunday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m. CT.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up to date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook. 
 
Follow UIW Volleyball on Twitter @UIWVolleyball and Instagram @UIW_Volleyball.