COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – University of the Incarnate Word women's volleyball team traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado to compete in the Mile High Invitational this weekend. (9/17-18) The Cardinals finished 0-3 on the weekend.
The Cardinals faced three tough competitors, playing the University of Iowa (UI) and University of Denver (UD) on Friday followed by the United States Air Force Academy (AF) on Saturday.
"I took the team to the Mile High Invitational so we could see some really good competition and that's exactly what we got to see. All three teams are big and physical," head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas said. "We learned a lot about what we need to improve on as a team in each position."
Risa Sena led the team in kills over the weekend with 26. Followed by Chase Jackson with 16 and Jacqueline Arrington with 10.
Macy Sumrall lead the team with 24 total digs on the weekend.
Our setters showed out combining for 76 total assists on the weekend.
Day One: Sept. 17, 2021
UIW vs UI, (18-25, 14-25, 21-25)
UIW fell to UI 3-0 on Friday afternoon. Sena led the team with seven total kills followed by Annamarie Alvarez and Allison Palmi with six kills each. The Cardinals went on a 5-0 run in the third to tie the set up 17-17.
Ultimately the offense from UI could not be stopped by the Cardinals. Courtney Buzzerio led the team with 16 kills followed by Kyndra Hansen with 11.
UIW vs UD, (13-25, 16-35, 21-25)
The Pioneers beat the Cardinals 3-0 Friday night. Sena led the team in kills again with 12 while Chase Jackson followed with seven. Natalie Martin finished with 24 of the teams total 28 assists. Macy Sumrall had 10 digs on the night.
Lydia Bartalo led UD with 11 kills while Gianna Bartalo finished with 10 digs.
Day Two: Sept. 18, 2021
UIW vs AF (14-25, 12-25, 12-25)
The Cardinals lost to the Falcons 3-0 Saturday afternoon. Jackson and Sena had seven kills each followed by Arrington with five.
"We really enjoyed bringing our senior, Chase Jackson, back to her hometown to play in front of family and friends. We try and bring a senior back home each year and Colorado was exactly the trip this team needed," Dabbs Thomas said.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals host Tarleton State University on Wednesday, Sept. 22. at 6 p.m. The Tarleton Texans matchup will be the last game before conference play against Texas A&M Corpus Christi begins on Saturday, Sept. 25.
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.
--UIW Cardinals--
