SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team stayed even through the weekend as the team hosted the annual Cardinal Classic. Losing a tight match against UTSA on Thursday night, the Cardinals stormed back to take a commanding win over Oral Robert University on Friday night.  

UIW vs UTSA (0-3) 

Though UTSA got the sweep in the battle of the birds, the story of the game was much different. In all three sets the Cardinals were playing catchup but were tight on the heels of the Roadrunners.  

Set one was the closest as UIW only lost 21-25. Risa Sena collected four of her total seven kills in the set that helped ignite the momentum of the Cardinals. Strong sets by Natalie Kimmel and Ewa Kostera helped UIW stay in the game as the Roadrunners found their stride. Kostera, a junior from Poland, played a season-high three sets in the match. She finished with 10 assists and two digs.   

Sets two and three were still close but slipped away from the Cardinals. For the match, UIW collected 29 kills, four aces, and six total blocks. Kyla Malone tied with Sena for the team-high seven kills on the game. Thomas Kade and Finely Evans finished with three blocks each to finish rounding out the top spots of the stat sheets for the Cardinals.  

UIW vs ORU (3-1) 

In a four-set match the Cardinals beat the Eagles to even out their record at the tournament.  

After winning the first 25-21, UIW surged a late comeback in the second but unfortunately fell 25-23. Moving into sets three and four, the Cardinals told a different story. 

Off two kills by Sena and an error by ORU, UIW took an early 3-0 lead to start set three. The Eagles made an attempt to come back but the momentum of the Cardinals was too strong. They tallied 15 kills in the set to take it 25-21 and in set four it was complete Cardinal domination. 

Sena finished the match with a season-high 21 kills while Palmi and Malone accumulated 11 kills each. Junior setter Natalie Kimmel filled her impressive stat sheet with a career-high 42 assists, two aces, and 10 digs, making it one of her best performances wearing the Cardinal red.  

UIW will be back in action at home as they take on Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday night at 6 p.m. to open up SLC play.  

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--