PROVO, UT – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team went 1-2 in Utah over the weekend. The Cardinals lost in four sets against Wichita State on Friday. However, they bounced back with a win over the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) later in the day. The Red and Black's win over the Bears was its highest-ranked win in program history. UIW lost in straight sets to the host Cougars on Saturday to close out the BYU Nike Invitational.
Match 1: WSU (3), UIW (1)
Set 1: UIW 27 (1), WSU 25 (0)
The Shockers opened set one on a 13-5 run. The Cardinals then used a 4-0 run and an 8-0 run to pull ahead late, 20-17. WSU took a 25-24 lead, but a 3-0 UIW run to end the set gave them the set one win.
Set 2: UIW 14 (1), WSU 25 (1)
Wichita State never trailed en route to a set two win. The Shockers dominated the Cardinals to tie things up.
Set 3: UIW 19 (1), WSU 25 (2)
The Cardinals and Shockers played a tightly contested set three, playing to a 14-14 tie midway through the set. WSU used a 5-0 run to pull away late.. UIW pulled within five late, but the Shockers shut the door on UIW to take a 2-1 lead.
Set 4: UIW 20 (1), WSU 25 (3)
The Cardinals opened things up on a 4-0 run to jump out to an early lead. The Shockers responded, using a late 4-0 run to take a 19-14 lead. UIW went on a 5-0 run to pull within five, but WSU closed out the match to secure the win.
Kade Thomas led the Cardinals in kills with ten. Allison finished with a team-leading 31. Ashton Rogers led UIW in digs with 18, and Thomas finished with a match-leading seven blocks.
Match 2: UNC (2), UIW (3)
Set 1: UIW 25 (1), UNC 21 (0)
The Bears and Cardinals played a tightly contested first set, with both teams exchanging runs. UIW finished the set on a 3-0 run to take an early lead.
Set 2: UIW 27 (2), UNC 25 (0)
Set two was a lot like set one, with both teams exchanging points throughout. After the Bears tied things up at 25-25, the Cardinals recorded the last two points to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Set 3: UIW 13 (2), UNC 25 (1)
The Bears jumped out to an early 10-3 lead and never looked back. UNC led by as many as 12 points to get on the board.
Set 4: UIW 18 (2), UNC 25 (2)
The Bears got out to a similar start in set four, jumping out to an early 13-5 lead. The Cardinals made things interesting, pulling within five late, but UNC was able to close the set out to force a fifth set.
Set 5: UIW 15 (3), UNC 11 (2)
After taking an early three-point lead, the Cardinals roared back to tie the game at 8-8. Both teams exchanged points to bring the score to a 10-10 tie late in the set. The Cardinals ended the set on a 5-1 run to secure their first highest-ranked win in program history.
Finley Evans led the Cardinals in kills with 12. Calissa Allison finished with a team-leading 36 assists and a match-high 15 digs. Kade Thomas finished with a team-leading five blocks.
Match 3: BYU (1), UIW (3)
Set 1: UIW 23 (0), BYU 25 (1)
A back-and-forth first set ended on a 2-0 Cougar run to give BYU the win in set one. Neither team led by more than three points at any point in the set.
Set 2: UIW 15 (0), BYU 25 (2)
The Cougars dominated set two en route to another set win.
Set 3: UIW 23 (0), BYU 25 (3)
Like in set one, the Cardinals and Cougars battled repeatedly, keeping things close throughout. After tying the game at 23-23, BYU scored the last three points to finish off the match.
Finley Evans led the Cardinals in kills with 13. Calissa Allison finished with a team-leading 25 assists and 11 digs. Kade Thomas finished with four match-leading blocks.
UIW is back in action at the Texas State Tournament this upcoming weekend. The Cardinals will take on Arizona State, the University of Tulsa, and the host, Texas State.
FOLLOW ALONG
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--UIW CARDINALS--
