Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 University of Incarnate Word beat the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and fell to Abilene Christian University (ACU) in the final day of the ACU Invitational
 
ABILENE, TEXAS – UIW volleyball heads back to San Antonio after securing two wins at the ACU Invitational this weekend. The Cardinals went 2-1 with a win on opening day against UTA before falling to the host, ACU on Saturday morning and ending the tournament with a victory against UTA.
 
UIW volleyball fought hard on the second day of the tournament, going to five sets in both matches. The Cardinals two wins over UTA gives the program its first winning record to the start of a season since head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas' arrived in 2017.
 
UIW 2, ACU 3 (25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 11-15)
 
The Cardinals came out strong on both sides of the ball, going on a 4-0 scoring run consisting of two blocks and two kills.
 
In the first two sets the Cardinals outscored the Wildcats 32-24 in kills and 8-3 in blocks before the Wildcats broke away in the next two sets. ACU finished the match with a 3-0 scoring run to hand the Cardinals their first loss of the season.
 
Bethany Clapp led the team with 23 total kills followed by Allison Palmi and Annamaire Alvarez with 10 total kills. Macy Sumrall led both teams with 20 total digs. Nailah Landon topped the leaderboard in the match for total blocks with five. Clapp was also named to the tournament's all-tournament team.
 
UIW 3, UTA 2 (25-14, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-10)
 
The Cardinals then faced off against the Mavericks of UTA for a second time in Abilene. In a competitive five set match, the Cardinals and Mavericks exchanged sets before the Cardinals secured the win.
 
UIW got off to a quick start in the first set with a 7-0 scoring run to give them an early six-point lead. The Mavericks were able to come within five points before the Cardinals secured the first match.
 
The Mavericks took charge of the second set early with a 7-0 scoring run. UIW was able to come back to tie the set at 17 all before the Mavericks took the second set.
 
In the third set of the match the Cardinals battled to the very end in a close 25-22 win. Freshman, Risa Sena had a historic UIW debut with 17 kills, 46 attacks and 19 points.
 
"I'm really excited about this win against UTA, I think we did a great job of staying together and keeping our heads high," said Sena. "We have a lot of work to do but I'm so excited for what's ahead for us!"
 
In another close set, the Mavericks and Cardinals went back and forth with five tied scores within the fourth set. The Mavericks took set four with a score of 25-21.
 
In the shortened fifth set, the Cardinals went on a 5-0 scoring run to give them the ultimate advantage for the match. The defense set the pace for the Cardinal's victory against UTA. Junior, Macy Sumrall led both teams with 33 digs.
 
"Overall, I thought it was a really great way to end the weekend and start the season," said Sumrall. "We had a slight lapse in the middle of the match, but everyone did a great job of coming together to finish it. I am really excited about what the future holds for this team!"
 
The Cardinals had a great weekend of team play resulting in two wins. Coach Dabbs Thomas was happy with the overall performance from her team this weekend.
 
"A lot of our young players got to see the court today and played phenomenal. It was a great start to our 2021 season," said coach Dabbs Thomas.
 
UP NEXT
 
UIW volleyball host the 2021 Cardinal Classic Tournament, September 3 and 4 when they face St. Thomas of Minnesota, Idaho State University and Eastern Washington University.
 
All games can be streamed on https://portal.stretchinternet.com/uiw/.
Single game and group tickets are now one sale at  www.uiwcardinals.com/tickets or by calling the UIW ticket office at (210)805-3000.
 
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 at UIW Athletics.

Follow the team on Twitter @UIWVolleyball and on Instagram @uiw_volleyball.