COMMERCE, Texas -- Extending its winning streak to three matches, the University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team (11-9, 8-3) defeated East Texas A&M (9-15, 3-8) in a 3-1 road victory. The Cardinals completed the season sweep of the Lions, winning both meetings this season.

SET ONE: The opening set featured nine ties and one lead change in a back-and-forth battle before the Lions entered the media timeout with a 15-13 lead. East Texas A&M maintained its advantage out of the break, opening up a three-point lead before UIW called a timeout at 20-17. Lilly Roach notched a kill out of the break to prompt a Lion timeout, followed by back-to-back kills from Kitana Tu'ufuli to bring the Cardinals within two at 22-20. The Lions were first to set point as Incarnate Word called a timeout. Out of the break, Tu'ufuli and Teddy-Raye Ewers each recorded a kill to tie it up before Bella Ceja delivered an ace for set point. Ewers finished the set with a kill, securing a 26-24 win. 

SET TWO: The Cardinals were out to an early lead in the second set following a 4-0 run. The Lions answered with a 6-0 run of their own to reclaim the lead at 9-7, prompting a UIW timeout. East Texas A&M added another 5-0 run to enter the media timeout with a five-point advantage. The Lions continued to control the set, adding two more points out of the break and maintaining their lead to even the match at 1-1 with a 25-15 set win. 

SET THREE: A 5-0 run powered UIW to an early lead in the third set before the Lions came back to tie it at 7. The Cardinals jumped back in front, but the Lions used a 3-0 run out of the media timeout to even the set again at 15. The teams traded points down the stretch before UIW took a two-point lead at 20-18, following a kill from Allison. Ewers continued to lead the Cardinals' attack, recording two more to close the set on a 4-0 run for a 25-20 win.

SET FOUR: Lions took the lead first in the fourth set before a kill from Tu'ufuli gave the Cardinals a 7-6 lead. The set remained close, with five ties before the media timeout, but UIW broke through to take a 15-11 advantage. The Cardinals maintained control, building a commanding lead with a 3-0 run to go up 21-14. Two more kills from Ewers and an ace from Allison closed out the set for UIW, taking it 25-15 and securing the 3-1 match victory.

NOTABLES:

• Ewers notched her first career double-double, leading the team with a career-high 17 kills, adding 13 digs.

• Allison recorded her 11th double-double of the season with 25 assists and 11 digs.

• Ashton Rogers narrowly missed a double-double, recording eight assists and a team-high 22 digs.

• Tu'ufuli and Vanessa Eregie each recorded double-digit kills, with Tu'ufuli leading the Cardinals with 15 and Eregie adding 10. Eregie also contributed four blocks.