EDINBURG, Texas -- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to UTRGV on Thursday night in a back-and-forth battle in Edinburg. After splitting the opening two sets, the Cardinals fought through a tight fourth set, but ultimately fell, 26-24, as the Vaqueros secured the match.
SET ONE: Kitana Tu'ufuli opened up the match with a kill as the first set remained close through the opening points. The Cardinals were first to pull ahead, using a 3-0 run to take a 15-14 lead heading into the media timeout. The set stayed close out of the break before the UIW was forced to call a timeout trailing, 20-19. UTRGV closed the set on a 3-0 run to take the opening frame, 25-21.
SET TWO: The Cardinals opened up the second set hot, starting on a 7-1 run to prompt an early timeout from the Vaqueros. UTRGV regained some momentum, cutting the lead to one, 10-9. Calissa Allison recorded her fifth kill of the match to send the set to the media timeout with UIW leading 15-11. The Vaqueros came out of the break with a 3-0 run, but the Cardinals maintained a 17-15 advantage. UIW finished how they started, closing on a 7-1 run to take the second set and even the match at a set apiece.
SET THREE: The Vaqueros stole the opening momentum back in the third set, building an early five-point lead at 8-3. UTRGV continued to extend its advantage through the set, keeping the Cardinals at bay. UIW found more success from their attack, piecing together kills to bring the Cardinals within striking distance. However, UTRGV's early lead proved too much to overcome, as the Vaqueros controlled the set, taking the 2-1 match lead with a 25-18 win.
SET FOUR: Looking to force a fifth set, the Cardinals opened on a 4-0 run to take an 11-9 lead and force a UTRGV timeout. The Vaqueros kept it close down the stretch, not allowing the Cardinals to build their lead past three. A 5-0 run from UTRGV would force a Cardinal timeout as they held on to a 17-15 lead. The Vaqueros extended their advantage before UIW responded with a 3-0 run to even the game at 20. UTRGV reached match point at 24-23, but the Cardinals fought off the opportunity to send the set into extra points. In a back-and-forth finish, the Vaqueros claimed the fourth set, 26-24, to take the match 3-1.
NOTABLES:
- Allison recorded her seventh double-double with 23 assists and 10 digs. She was two kills shy of her first triple-double of the season.
- Tu'ufuli continues to inch closer to the 1,000-kill milestone and is now six away after her 16-kill performance today.
- Lilly Roach notched two career highs with a solo block and 10 kills, while leading the team with a hitting percentage of .471%.
- Teddy-Raye Ewers tied her career high with 13 digs.
The Cardinals continue their two-match road trip Saturday, Oct. 3, visiting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 1 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on X @UIWAthletics, and on Instagram @uiw_athletics.
Follow the team on X @UIWVolleyball and on Instagram @uiw_volleyball.
