SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word women's volleyball team fell to Tarleton State in the first home game of the week. The Cardinals fell 3-1 in a hard-fought battle against the Texans.
 
Risa Sena and Allison Palmi led the team tallying 13 kills each in tonight's matchup followed by Zoe Menendez with nine. Natalie Martin set the tone for the offense with 41 assists. Brittney Ong led the team with four service aces. Ong also led the team in digs with 19 followed by Menendez with 17.
 
"A lot of adversity has hit our team over this past week and even though we could have shown that," said Menendez. "We all did a very good job of maintaining the intensity on and off the court. Although the match didn't go our way, our fight, determination and teamwork were strengthened despite this tough loss. I am so excited to see where this team will go in our upcoming started to conference and can't wait to continue to grow."  
 
In set one the Cardinals and Texans exchanged points back and forth until the Cardinals ultimately fell 26-24. This set had 12 tied scores and eight lead changes. Sena led the team in this set with four kills.
 
In the second set the Cardinals struggle to stay in tune with the high tempo offense from the Texans. UIW fell 25-14 in the second set of the match.
 
The third set was all Cardinals. UIW came out swinging hard and making big plays, going on a quick 5-0 scoring run to start the set. The Texans could not come close to the Cardinals in this set. The Cardinals went on to take the set 25-13. Menendez led this set with five kills followed by Taylor Henderson with four. The three service aces from Menendez really set the tone of the match, her tricky serves stunted the Texans.
 
The fourth and final set was another neck and neck matchup. There were 15 tied scores and six lead changes. The Cardinals and Texans battled the whole game. The Cardinals went on a four-point scoring run late in the match to take the lead. However, the Texans answered right back tying the set 20 all. The Texans then went on a 3-0 scoring run before Sena ended it with two big kills that then brought an error from the Texans tying the set at 23. Sena came back with another big kill to tie the game again at 24. The Texans went on to take the match 26-24.  
 
"Tonight was a fun match for our team," said head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas. "Our depth really stepped up and played hard. Even though we did not get the preferred outcome tonight, I am so proud of these young ladies for the unbelievable grit they displayed. We will continue to work hard to open up conference this weekend."  
 
UP NEXT
 
The Cardinals begin conference play when they host Texas A&M Corpus Christi this Saturday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. In their last matchup on Feb. 25, 2021, the Cardinals fell 3-1 at home.
 
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.