CONWAY, Ark. – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team claimed its first win of the season on the road, sweeping Central Arkansas in three sets on Thursday night inside the Farris Center. 
 
Chase Jackson and Bethany Clapp led the squad with 10 kills each. Natalie Martin notched a season-high 30 assists. The Cardinals capitalized on 11 service aces led by Mariela Nieto and Annamarie Alvarez with three each. 
 
"Tonight was a great win for us and a lot of fun," said head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas. "Our team executed the game plan perfectly."
 
"Like every other team this season, we faced some last-minute adjustments that had to be made and our team did not skip a beat. We made the adjustments accordingly and played lights out." 
 
UIW was off to a quick start opening the first set on a 7-2 run. The Cardinals kept the Sugar Bears at a distance, but UCA eventually got its first lead in the set at 12-11. The teams went point for point until the Cardinals managed to build some distance getting up 21-17. Despite UCA tying the set, 23-23, the Cardinals closed out on a 2-0 run to claim the first one. 
 
The red and black were off to another quick start on a 4-1 run. Four ties later and UCA took the lead, but UIW fought back never allowing them to get away by more than two, staying at their heels. Late into the set, the Cardinals inched back to tie the set 21-21 off a set-turned-kill by Martin. Shortly after, a combination of service aces by Nieto and a UCA error and the Cardinals claimed the second set. 
 
The third set started with the teams going point for point until the Cardinals began to inch away. Despite the early ties, UIW never conceded the lead in the third set going lights out until the last point. With the score at 24-14, UCA went on a 4-0 run for a final push, but an attack error sealed a UIW sweep.
 
"I'm very proud of this team and our focus now is on [Northwestern State] for Saturday," said Dabbs Thomas. 
 
NOTABLES 

• This marks the first time UIW defeats UCA since the 2016 campaign when the Cardinals won 3-1 in Conway, Arkansas (Sept. 1, 2016). 
• The Cardinals' 11 service aces are a team-high this season.  

 
UP NEXT 
UIW remains on the road for its next match, taking on Northwestern State, Saturday Feb. 13, inside Prather Coliseum at 11 a.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.
  
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