SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word Volleyball team matched up against Texas Southern University and Texas State University (TXST) in the annual Cardinal Classic on Aug. 26-27 at the McDermott Convocation Center.
 
UIW vs. Texas Southern (3-0)
The Cardinals opened the 2022 season with a 3-0 victory over Texas Southern University on Friday night to start off the Cardinal Classic, 1-0.
 
UIW set the tone early in the first set, embarking on an 8-1 run led by two kills and a block from Kyla Malone. The Cardinals held the Tigers to just nine points, winning set one, 25-9.
 
The Tigers rallied late in the third, coming within three (22-19) before Jacqueline Arrington smashed back-to-back kills, and freshman, Finley Evans scored the game point off a kill of her own.
 
Risa Sena (nine) and Evans (eight) had themselves a night, combining for 17 of the Cardinal's 37 kills.
 
UIW vs. Texas State (0-3)
The Cardinals battled through the first set, staying neck-and-neck with the Bobcats. An ace from Mercedez Lara put UIW within one (21-20), but Texas State pulled ahead to claim the first set, 25-21.
 
Texas State secured the second set, and the Cardinals came out strong to start the third, tying the match up, 9-9 following a kill from Sena. The Bobcats slowly pulled ahead and ultimately won the game.
 
Palmi led the Cardinal offense with seven kills and defended the net with three blocks. Taylor Stoops notched 13 assists.
 
UIW vs. Texas State (0-3)
The Bobcats took set one. An ace from Natalie Kimmel cut the Bobcat's lead to 15-12 midway through the second set as the Cardinals chipped away. TXST ended the second set with a 25-17 win.
 
UIW started and ended the third set on a high note. Stoops secured back-to-back aces before a TXST attack error tied the match up 21-21, forcing a Bobcat timeout. Both the Cardinals and Bobcats did not let up, battling until the end as TXST took the game.
 
All-Tournament Team
Allison Palmi, UIW
Emily DeWalt, Texas State
Anna Gadway, HBU
Dallas Balanay-Flores, Texas Southern
 
 
FOLLOW ALONG 
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