HOUSTON – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team defeated the Lady Lions of Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU), 3-2, Friday afternoon. With the victory, the Cardinals are headed to the semi-final match for the first time in UIW program history. 
 
Risa Sena was named Southland Conference Player of the Match following her 15 kills, nine digs, and one ace performance against SLU. Bethany Clapp registered her second double-double in the tournament, tallying 13 kills and 15 digs. Annamarie Alvarez came out strong, adding 10 kills to push the Cardinals ahead of the Lady Lions. Natalie Martin (24) and Natalie Kimmel (21) set up the Cardinal offense by combining for 45 assists. Macy Sumrall led the Cardinals at the service line, shaking up the Lady Lion defense with four service aces. 
 
"I'm so proud of the way we played today," said Sena. "We came in knowing exactly what we had to do and executed. We kept staying aggressive at the net and on defense, which allowed us to take control throughout the entire match. The energy was up the entire time and we're excited to bring that into tomorrow." 
 
The Cardinals continued their momentum from yesterday's win and went on a 6-0 scoring run to start the match. SLU could not match the Cardinal's energy in the first set. UIW continued to inch ahead with back-to-back blocks from Alvarez and Jacqueline Arrington to put the Cardinals up 10-2. From there, the UIW offense took off. Sena, Alvarez, Arrington, Clapp, and Chase Jackson all contributed to explosive attacks that the Lady Lions could not stop as UIW won the first set, 25-20. 
 
SLU took the second set 25-23. This was a neck-and-neck set that featured nine tied scores and three lead changes. 
 
The Cardinals responded by outscoring the Lady Lions in the final two sets of the match (25-21, 25-20). Alvarez and Clapp led the Cardinal offense in the third set, but it was the strength of Arrington and Jackson that gave the Cardinals breathing room against SLU. Nailah Landon's and Arrington's defense at the net stopped the Lady Lion offense in its tracks as the Cardinals went ahead, 2-1, in the match.
 
In the final set of the day, the UIW's blocking was the main part of a textbook ending. Back-to-back blocks from Landon and Arrington put the Cardinals ahead early. Clapp, Alvarez, and Sena showed their strength, pounding the ball straight down and not letting the Lady Lions respond. Jackson registered her eighth kill of the day to clinch the 3-1 match victory and advance the Cardinals to the semi-final match of the Southland Conference Tournament.  
 
"I can't say enough about this team," said head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas. "Today we controlled the serve and passing battle against SLU all four sets. I am so proud of them for coming out and playing clean volleyball after a hard-fought five-set match yesterday. Our setters and Macy did a great job controlling our offensive tempo for our attackers to be extremely successful." 
 
UP NEXT 
The Cardinals face No. 1 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the semi-final round of the Southland Conference Tournament. The match is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Fans can watch the match live on ESPN+. 
 
FOLLOW ALONG
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Follow the team on Twitter @UIWVolleyball and Instagram @uiw_volleyball.