HOUSTON – The University of the Incarnate Word women's volleyball team fell to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) 3-0 on Saturday in the semi-final game of the Southland Conference Tournament.
 
"I am extremely proud of this team," head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas said. "Corpus Christi is a really good team and we played them tough. I am really proud of the run we went on at the tournament. We've made history happen this year and I cannot wait for what's to come in the future with this program."
 
Risa Sena led the Cardinal offense with 12 kills. Bethany Clapp finished with 17 digs and Macy Sumrall followed with 11. Natalie Martin and Natalie Kimmel combined for 23 assists on the match.  
 
The Cardinals continued their momentum into the third day of the Southland Conference Tournament. No. 5 UIW pushed No. 1 TAMU-CC early with a 5-1 run to start the first set. Jacqueline Arrington extended UIW's lead to 10-5 with a monster block for the Cardinals. The Islanders tied the set, 13-13, and the Southland Conference foes exchanged points  until TAMU-CC took a three-point lead. The Islanders continued their scoring run to take the set, 25-21.
 
The second set was led by Sena as she registered six kills. The Islanders and the Cardinals were tied, 4-4, until TAMU-CC went on a four-point run and maintained its lead, but UIW knotted the set back up at 16-16. Sena and the Cardinals laid it all out on the floor to take a 20-17 lead, forcing an Islander timeout. TAMU-CC ultimately took the second set, 25-22.
 
UIW fell to the defending conference champions in the third set, 25-16.
 
"We absolutely played our hearts out all conference tournament," Clapp said. "Although, of course, I wish we could have gone to the championship. Corpus Christi is a really good team and we went out playing our best volleyball of the season. Lots of tears were shed after this game, but I love this program and am excited to cheer them on next season."
 
This was the first time in program history the Cardinals have advanced to the semi-final match of the SLC Tournament. Samantha Dabbs Thomas has led UIW to new heights. The Cardinals have 14 student-athletes returning for the 2022-23 season.
 
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