HAMMOND, La. – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team defeated the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 27-25, 21-25, 27-25, 26-24, in the Southland Conference Tournament quarterfinals at the University Center. The win clinches a spot in the semifinals for the Cardinals for the first time since 2021. The victory over the Vaqueros was the first time the Cardinals have bested them since 2015.      

The Cardinals (17-10, 10-7) await the East Texas A&M and Southeastern Louisiana winner to find out the team's next opponent.           

UIW's lone All-Conference honoree, Calissa Allison, led the way in kills with 20. She also recorded 18 assists and 14 digs to earn her 11th triple-double of the season.   

In the first start of her collegiate career, Vanessa Eregie led the Cardinals in blocks with six. Kade Thomas added five to bring her season total to 103.0.   

Senior setter Anuhea Faitau led the Cardinals in assists with 29. 

Finely Evans finished with 16 digs to lead the team.    

Set 1: UIW 27 (1), UTRGV 25 (0)    

The first set foreshadowed what would take place for the entire match. It was back and forth, with seven ties and three lead changes. An attack error and a service ace allowed the Cardinals to take the first set. Risa Sena, Allison, and K. Thomas tallied three kills each.  

Set 2: UIW 21 (1), UTRGV 25 (1)   

The Vaqueros held a four-point lead late in the second set, 24-20, with match point. UTRGV was able to close things out to take its only set of the day.  

Set 3: UIW 27 (2), UTRGV 25 (1)   

Late in set three, the Cardinals were down 19-15. They responded with a 3-0 run to pull within one, 19-18. The Vaqueros tied its largest lead at 22-18, but UIW failed to go away.  The Cardinals walked away with the set to take a 2-1 lead. Allison and K. Thomas led the way with four kills in the set.     

Set 4: UIW 26 (3), UTRGV 24 (1) 

The final set was a roller coaster with 15 ties and seven lead changes. This time, it was the Cardinals coughing up a four-point lead at 12-8. The Vaqueros never led by more than one, which allowed UIW to stay in it. After tying things up at 24-24, the Cardinals closed things out with the help of two attack errors by UTRGV.  

The Cardinals will either face the Lions of ETAMU or the Lions of SLU tomorrow at 5 p.m.    

Tickets and more information on the tournament can be found at southland.org 

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--UIW CARDINALS--