SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team picked up its second win of the week over Nicholls, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals shook off a narrow 29-27 first-set loss, dominating the next two sets before closing out a competitive fourth set for the win. Incarnate Word showed up defensively with 94 total digs, their most in a four-set match this season, with four players in double-digit figures. The team also tied their season-high in blocks with 12.
SET ONE: Nicholls jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, forcing a UIW timeout. The Colonels extended their advantage to 7-0 before Victoria Hall recorded a kill to get the Cardinals on the board. Lilly Roach helped spark a 5-1 run that brought UIW within three at 10-7. The Cardinals continued to battle, using a 5-0 run to tie the set at 13 before another 6-1 stretch gave UIW a 25-24 lead. However, Nicholls rallied to take the opening set, 29-27.
SET TWO: The Cardinals responded in the second set, taking an early lead. Following a Nicholls serving error, UIW went on a run to force a Colonels timeout at 11-5. Incarnate Word continued to control the set, taking their biggest lead of the match at 21-10. The Cardinals closed out the set, 25-15, to even the match at one set apiece.
SET THREE: Calissa Allison recorded two early aces in a 6-1 run for the Cardinals. It was a dominant set for Incarnate Word from start to finish, carrying a double-digit lead into the media timeout. Allison notched her tenth kill to extend the Cardinals' lead to 19-8, securing her fourth triple-double of the season as the Cardinals cruised to a 25-12 set three win.
SET FOUR: Incarnate Word carried its momentum into the fourth set, opening with a 5-0 run to take a 7-2 lead. Nicholls responded with a run of its own, cutting the deficit to 11-9. UIW called a timeout after a late push from the Colonels brought them within four points. Nicholls continued to battle down the stretch, but the Cardinals held on to close out the set, 25-23, and secure the 3-1 victory.
NOTABLES:
- Allison recorded her fourth triple-double of the season and 17th of her career. She ranks second in the NCAA this season and is tied for ninth all-time in career triple-doubles. She tied her season high in kills with 19 and added 21 assists and 12 digs.
- Ewers set a new career high with 22 digs, adding five kills.
- Ashton Rogers and Sofia Grimm both tied career highs, with Rogers recording nine assists and Grimm totaling six blocks. Rogers also led the team with 25 digs.
- Roach and Kitana Tu'ufuli led the Cardinals with 11 kills apiece. The duo also anchored the net, combining for nine of UIW's 12 total blocks, with Roach recording six and Tu'ufuli adding three.
- Victoria Hall recorded a season-high 20 digs while dishing out 24 assists.
- The Cardinals tallied 94 digs, their second-highest total of the season and their most in a four-set match. UIW averaged 23.5 digs per set, well above its season average of 16.62 digs per set.
- UIW tied their season high as a team in total blocks with 12.
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.
