SAN ANTONIO - The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team fell 3-0 to UTRGV in Tuesday's midweek matchup in Edinburg, Texas.  

UIW vs UTRGV (3-0) 

In one of the toughest matchups so far this season, UIW struggled to find its flow.  

The first set proved to be the tightest as the Cardinals only lost 19-25. Points were evenly traded back and forth between the two teams as UIW's hitters found great set ups from Natalie Kimmel and Victoria Hall. Hall, a freshman from Metamora, Illinois, played all three sets making her first total game debut as a Cardinal.   

The Vaqueros jumped out to a 20-15 lead over the Cardinals, but just as they thought they could get away Kade Thomas and Allison Palmi jumped up for a huge block. Another kill by Kyla Malone brought UIW within five, but the lead from UTRGV was too much. 

Sets two and three didn't see a lot of offensive play from UIW. As The Vaqueros found their stride, they held onto a good distance between them and the Cardinals.  

Palmi finished with six kills on the game as Risa Sena and Annamarie Alvarez each added five. In addition to Sena's kills, she added three blocks to her stat line. Mariela Nieto dug up 11 balls while Kimmel dug up six.  

The Cardinals will be back in action on Thursday (9/14) night as they kick off their 2023 UIW Cardinal Classic against hometown rival UTSA.  

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--