EDINBURG, TX – University of the Incarnate Word women's volleyball team traveled to Edinburg, Texas to compete in the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Tournament this weekend. The Cardinals finished 1-1 on the weekend.  

The Cardinals bounced back against the University of Louisiana Lafayette (ULL) after a tough series against UTRGV. The Cardinals fell to UTRGV 3-0 and then came right back to beat the ULL in five sets (3-2).  

"I'm proud of the team for bouncing back on Saturday vs Louisiana after a rough start for us Friday night vs UTRGV," said head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas. "We played well today offensively and defensively. I thought our setter ran a great offense this weekend and moved our attackers around more."  

Bethany Clapp led the team in kills over the weekend with 27. Followed by Allison Palami with 12 and Chase Jackson with 11.  

Macy Sumrall had another amazing defensive weekend, leading the team with 40 total digs. Following Sumrall, Clapp totaled 24 digs on the weekend, then Natalie Martin with 12 and Natalie Kimmel with 11.  

Our setters showed out this weekend combining for 72 total assists on the weekend. Martin totaled 37, Pilar Gonzaba 23 and Kimmel with 12.  

Day One: Sept. 10, 2021 

UIW vs UTRGV, (18-25, 21-25, 18-25) 

UIW fell to UTRGV 3-0 on Friday evening. Clapp led the team with nine total kills followed by Alvarez (5) and Sena (5). The defense during the second set kept the Cardinals momentum going in a close 21-25 defeat.  

Ultimately the offense from UTRGV could not be stopped by the Cardinals. Sarah Cruz lead the team with 14 kills followed by Veronika Jandova (10) and Perris Key (7).  

Day Two: Sept. 11, 2021  

UIW vs ULL (20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 14-25, 15-7) 

UIW went the distance against the Ragin' Cajuns securing the win through five sets.  

Palami had her best offensive game of the season against the Ragin' Cajuns with 12 total kills.  

"Our team had some great opportunities this weekend, playing against some really challenging teams," said Palami. "Although yesterday didn't go how we wanted I'm super proud of how we came together today and played as one. I'm excited to see what we can do the rest of this preseason and get ready for conference."  

Martin was firing on all cylinders. She helped the offense explode on Saturday bringing her total assist number on the weekend to 37. 

"We learned a lot within the last year that some things don't go our way," said Martin. "And with the first day not being our best volleyball we learned a lot and turned it around for day two. I am so proud of the team for coming together and getting one percent better this weekend."  

The Cardinals lost the first set against ULL after a slow start then rallied for the next two sets to take a 2-1 lead. ULL came out strong at the start of the third, jumping to a quick lead and winning the set. UIW didn't let the tie game rattle them, they came together to win the last set 15-7.  

UP NEXT  

The Cardinals continue their road series when the travel to Fort Worth, Texas to take on Texas Christian University. The Cardinals last faced off against the Horn Frogs on Sept. 11 2015 when the Cardinals fell 0-3.  

FOLLOW ALONG 
  
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--UIW Cardinals--