CHARLESTON, S.C.- The University of the Incarnate Word Volleyball team matched up against three teams – College of Charleston (CofC), Coastal Carolina, and Wofford College - this past weekend at the CofC Invitational Sept. 9-10.

UIW vs. College of Charleston (0-3)
After a back-and-forth start to the first set, the Cardinals went on a run as a kill by Allison Palmi followed by a block and kill from Finley Evans ignited UIW's spark, giving the Cardinals a five-point lead (20-15). The Cougars responded, scoring eight unanswered points to take set one.

UIW put up a fight in sets two and three, but the Cougars ultimately won the match 3-0. Evans led the offensive charge with 10 kills while Palmi finished with eight and Kyla Malone added six. Taylor Stoops finished the night with a season-high 21 assists, 8 digs, and an ace against a talented Cougar team.

UIW vs. Coastal Carolina University (1-3)
The Cardinals came back Saturday morning against Coastal Carolina in an exciting game that went to four sets.

In set one, Coastal Carolina held the lead after going on multiple runs throughout the set and ultimately won 25-16.

The Chanticleers had a strong start holding the lead for the first eight points of the second set, but an error by Coastal Carolina opened a 6-0 run for the Cardinals. Stoops was on the serve as kills by Palmi and Annamarie Alvarez elevated the Cardinals game. Multiple attack errors fed into the momentum for UIW and a strong set by Stoops perfectly set up Alvarez to solidify the win for the Cardinals in set two.  

After challenging the Chanticleers in both sets three and four, the Cardinals lost the match 3-1. Palmi secured her second double-double of the season with 13 kills and a career-high 16 digs. Alvarez finished the game contributing seven kills and two blocks, while Jacqueline Arrington added two blocks and five kills.

UIW vs. Wofford College (0-3)
In the final match of the CofC Invitational, the Cardinals faced the Wofford Terriers. Though the Terriers won the game, the Cardinals never let up.

After losing the first set, Kade Thomas and Alvarez came firing into the second with a monster block as the Cardinals went on a five-point run to cut the Terrier lead. Kills by Palmi and Evans cut Wofford's lead, but the set ultimately ended 25-17 as the Terriers tightly held on.  

In the third set, the Cardinals battled until the end. Back-to-back kills from Ewa Kostera and Palmi, and an ace from Palmi, gave UIW their first lead of the game (6-4). As Wofford battled back, Malone delivered a kill to tie the game up 20-20, but Wofford eventually won 25-22.

Malone had a breakout game as she delivered a career-high six kills in crucial moments of the Terriers' runs. Palmi and Evans also contributed six each for the Cardinals.
 
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