SAN ANTONIO - The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team went undefeated in its first three matchups of the season at the Texan Invitational hosted by Tarleton State University. Posting the first 3-0 start since 2009, the Cardinals came out of the tournament as champions in an unrelenting finish against the host team on Saturday night. These three wins also are the first collegiate wins as head coach for Gabby Ording.
UIW vs UAPB (3-0)
In the first match of the 2023 season, the Cardinals could be described in one word: dominant. Taking the win in their first sweep since October 2022, UIW took down the Golden Lions by an average of eight points each set.
After going down by three in the first set, the Cardinals went on a 5-0 run to take back momentum from UAPB. UIW went charging on and at the perfect time Natalie Kimmel set up Finley Evans to slam a kill into the back line of the Golden Eagles. After the Cardinals tallied point 16, there was no hope for the opposing team.
The next two sets were just as dominant as the offensive movement between the Cardinals flourished.
Leading the way with 46 kills over UAPB's 17, the Cardinals' top three hitters carried enough for both teams. Risa Sena accounted for 10 of the kills and added a block for the team. Allison Palmi and Kyla Malone followed right behind with nine kills of their own. Newcomer Anuhea Faitau also showed out for UIW with 20 assists, seven digs, and an ace.
UIW vs PVAMU (3-0)
If the first sweep wasn't sweet enough, the Cardinals earned another against the Panthers. Though, the second test proved to be a bigger challenge than the first.
UIW took the first two points of the set as Sena slammed a kill down the side of PVAMU. Olivia Abbott served up point two with a strategically placed ace, but the Panthers came back as ready as ever. Once the Panthers had a seven-point lead, 19-12, UIW a shift was needed. Evans started the charge with a kill, but Palmi and Annamarie Alvarez fully charged up the Cardinals with a huge block. After a bit of back and forth, UIW went on a 6-0 run to bring up the match point. As the Panthers suffered a service error, the comeback for the Cardinals was complete.
Sets two and three were just as close as the first but through it all UIW remained on top. Palmi and Malone led the way for both teams with 13 kills. Finley Evans added another seven along with two aces of her own. On the defensive side, Audrey Patton picked up 18 digs in her stellar defensive showing. Kimmel also dug up seven herself but added 17 assists on the offense side of the floor.
UIW vs Tarleton State (3-2)
In the most exciting matchup of the tournament, the Cardinals came out on top after a wild finish in set five. Surpassing the usual 15 points in the set, UIW beat the Texan Riders 22-20 to capture the win.
After losing set one, the Cardinals knew they had to bring it in set two. Starting out with a lead early after back-to-back kills by Malone and Sena, they were up 4-2. As momentum went on and UIW's offense was killing it on the outside, Tarleton State was down 19-9. The 10-point lead proved to be too much for the Texan Riders as UIW easily rode on to close the set after a perfect setup by Kimmel to Malone for point 25.
Set three was the same story for the Cardinals as they took the win 25-16.
Tarleton State came back to win set four and the match came down to five. With both teams knowing they needed a win, the energy for set five was unmatched. As we knew, it proved to be an exhilarating watch.
The Texan Riders busted out with an early 9-4 lead. Multiple errors by the Cardinals were costly in the tight match. Before they knew it, Tarleton State was one point away from taking the win as the score was 14-9. Annamarie Alvarez and Finley Evans came up clutch for UIW to help them soar on a 5-0 scoring run to tie up the game at 14. As they slammed kills down and helped block at the net, the UIW energy rose. From then on it was a nailbiter between the two teams.
Tossing points back and forth as the game pushed through point 15, both teams were relentless. Just as the Texan Riders were ready to take the game as they had match point, 20-19, Malone terminated the ball to tie it again at 20-20. Tarleton State suffered an attack error and the Cardinals needed one more point. Sena took the serve and on the return, the Cardinals set up a perfectly practiced bump, set, and Malone spike to take the win.
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--
