SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team fell to Houston Christian University (HCU) in a tight match on Saturday for first conference road game.  

UIW vs HCU (0-3) 

Though the box score shows a sweep, the match was a tight battle of runs.  

The Cardinals had to play catchup in set one as they went down 17-11. A service error from the Huskies gave them possession and UIW stormed back to make it a three-point game. Kyla Malone and Risa Sena slammed kills down to keep the score close as HCU tried to break away. Annamarie Alvarez closed out the set with two more kills to give the Cardinals their nineteenth and twentieth point, but HCU took the set 25-20.  

In set two, the Cardinals worked on coming from behind again. In the early start, points were traded back and forth between the two. As the score went 15-22 in favor of HCU, Sena hit a ball deep into Husky territory to start a five-point run to bring the score within two. Of the five points, Allison Palmi collected three kills. The fightback was tough, but the Cardinals' back line stepped up to create some work for the offense. However, the lead proved to be too much for UIW. 

Set three was a struggle for the Cardinals defense as the duo of Huskies preseason team favorites got hot from the outside.  

For the match, Palmi led UIW with nine kills and a season-high four blocks. Sena and Malone added seven kills each while Sena also added 13 digs. Setter Natalie Kimmel finished with 25 assists.  

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--