SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word women's volleyball program competed in two tough battles this past weekend. Coming off a loss on Thursday (Oct. 13) against the Cowgirls at McNeese State, the Cardinals came soaring back to take down the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) at home on Saturday (Oct. 15). 

UIW vs McNeese State (1-3)  

The Cowgirls started off hot as they took an early 9-5 lead over the Cardinals in the first set. Taylor Stoops answered back for UIW as she switched positions to get a kill from Allison Palmi. Stoops' play gave the Cardinals some energy as they came back within one to make the score 11-12.  After McNeese took another small lead, an attack error by the Cowgirls followed by a kill from Annamarie Alvarez brought UIW back, 21-22. Despite the Cardinals' efforts, the Cowgirls took the set 25-23. The second set was just like the first as McNeese won 25-19. 

UIW took complete control in the third. Starting off hot with a three-point lead after an ace by Stoops and a kill by Alvarez. Tallying 16 kills of their 36 total attacks, UIW held its largest lead at 11 from back-to-back kills by Sena and one from Kyla Malone. To cap off the set, Natalie Kimmel turned into a hitter and put one deep into Cowgirl territory. Another kill by Sena gave UIW a 25-15 victory.  

The fourth set went into extra points. The score was neck and neck the whole set as both teams didn't back down. Each team went on small runs but in the end, McNeese took the third to with the match. 

Sena led the offense for the Cardinals with 14 kills. Alvarez (11) and Palmi (10) followed behind her. Stoops chimed in with 30 assists and one ace. Kade Thomas led UIW defensively at the net with seven blocks. In the backcourt, Audrey Patton and Palmi accounted for 34 of the Cardinals' 69 digs. 

UIW vs SLU (3-1) 

In a thrilling match that went to four sets, UIW came out on top against the Lions of Southeastern Louisiana.  

The Cardinals took a dominant lead to start the game as they went on an 11-2 run. During the run, Sena chipped in two kills, Jacqueline Arrington notched a kill with a monster block up the middle, and the rest of the points claimed were errors made by the Lions. A kill from Alvarez sparked another Cardinal run late in the first set as UIW took a 16-9 lead. Kyla Malone served a ball deep into SLU territory, as the Lions attacked, Thomas and Alvarez jumped to block any chance of a Lions comeback and win the first set.   

The second and third sets were nailbiters to say the least. SLU started the second set by taking a four-point advantage over the Cardinals. A kill by Alvarez stopped the run and ignited some much-needed momentum for UIW's offense. Arrington and Stoops came up big to give the Cardinals two killer plays. They teamed up for a kill to bring the Cardinals back within two (6-8) and a block to make it 7-8. The score tied three times after that and when Thomas jumped up for a middle block, the score was 21-21. Points were traded back and forth but the Lions won 26-24.  

In the third set, SLU held a lead for most of the game until UIW was finally able to tie it up at 17. A kill from Malone put the Cardinals up 18-17 but SLU tied it up the next play. When the score hit 19-22, Malone stepped up big and slammed one right into SLU territory, starting a Cardinal run to win the game after scoring six unanswered points.  

UIW completely dominated the fourth set taking their biggest lead at nine points. Southeastern came back within five, but the Cardinals' energy was just too much. UIW went on to win the set 25-20.  

Alvarez led all with 17 kills, Arrington and Sena had 16 apiece. Overall, the Cardinals outhit the Lions 63-54. Along with her kills, Arrington accounted for seven of UIW's 11 blocks. Stoops had a stellar game with 55 assists: a new season-high, eight digs, and an ace. Audrey Patton chipped in three assists with her 22 digs.  

The Cardinals are back in action Thursday night as they face New Orleans in Louisiana at 6:30 p.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.   Follow the team on Twitter @UIWVolleyball and on Instagram @uiw_volleyball.      

--UIW CARDINALS--