NEW ORLEANS -- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team cruised to a 3-0 win over LSU New Orleans, recording 15 service aces along the way, to set the Southland Conference's single-match high for the season.
SET ONE: Privateers found early success in the opening set, winning six of the first eight points. Three service aces from Victoria Hall helped the Cardinals close the gap and regain the lead, while Bella Ceja added another ace to extend the advantage to 10-7. Incarnate Word had no problem maintaining their lead down the stretch, with Ashton Rogers adding back-to-back service aces following a New Orleans timeout. Ceja capped the set with another ace, taking set one 25-14. UIW finished the frame with eight aces, just one less than their single-game high of nine.
SET TWO: The Cardinals added two more aces early from Lilly Roach and Teddy-Raye Ewers, jumping out to a 4-1 lead. UIW maintained its advantage before LSU New Orleans put together a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 14-10. Incarnate Word responded with a 6-0 run to reach set point at 24-13, and Roach closed out the frame with a kill for another 25-14 victory.
SET THREE: The third set featured four ties and one lead change before UIW used a 3-0 run, capped by a kill from Calissa Allison, to force a Privateers timeout at 10-7. Out of the media timeout, the Cardinals pushed their run to 6 straight points to extend their lead to 13-7. The Privateers used a 4-1 run to cut the deficit to two at 16-14, but the Cardinals ran away with it to close out the set, 25-16, and secure the sweep.
Notables:
- Calissa Allison led the Cardinals with 11 kills and added 16 assists for her 10th double-double of the season. She finished two digs shy of her second consecutive triple-double.
- Hall recorded a career-high six service aces, led the team with 17 assists added nine digs.
- Ewers posted career highs with 14 digs and three service aces. Ceja also recorded three aces.
- Sofia Grimm tied her career high with six blocks, including one solo block and five block assists.
The Cardinals return home for a two-game stint at home, hosting McNeese on Thursday at 6 p.m. before welcoming Nicholls on Saturday 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.
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