THIBODAUX, La., - The University of the Incarnate Word women's tennis team traveled to Thibodaux, Louisiana to compete in the Southland Conference Tournament, closing out the 2024 season. 

In the opening round on Tuesday, the 8th-seeded Cardinals defeated No. 9 Lamar 4-2 in a match that took over eight hours to complete. UIW came out with great energy, securing the doubles point with commanding wins at lines 1 and 2. Singles play began with similar momentum, but the match was temporarily stopped due to lightning and heavy rain. After a long delay, Estefania Gonzalez and Lyric Bonilla delivered two of their most dominant performances of the season, while Luciana Paez Hernandez battled through a tight match to secure the clinching point. Amelie Montalvo was also locked in a close three-setter at line 3 before the match concluded. 

In the quarterfinals, UIW fell 4-0 to top-seeded Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in what proved to be another competitive matchup. Despite a strong effort across the top three singles lines and solid play from Gonzalez and Bonilla—who continued their impressive form—the Islanders prevailed, demonstrating their depth in doubles and the lower singles positions. Gonzalez was up a set at line 1, and Bonilla was engaged in a tightly contested battle at line 2 when the match was decided. 

Although the result wasn't what the Cardinals had hoped for, the team showed clear progress throughout the season, earning six wins including an SLC Tournament win.  

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--UIW CARDINALS--