University of the Incarnate Word Athletics

CORALVILLE, Iowa -- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team split its final two matches of the Hawkeye Invitational on Friday, sweeping Southern Illinois, 3-0, before falling to host Iowa, 3-1. Kitana Tu'ufuli led the Cardinals with 22 combined kills across the two matches, while Calissa Allison recorded a double-double in both contests.

GAME 1 

SET ONE: The Cardinals capitalized on three early attack errors by the Salukis, closing out a 4-0 run with a kill from Alex Beauchamp to take an 8-3 lead. Southern Illinois later responded with a 3-0 run to bring the game to 11-8. Tu'ufuli recorded her fourth kill of the set to send the Cardinals to the media timeout with a 15-10 lead. Back-to-back kills from Vanessa Eregie and Beauchamp forced a Saluki timeout late in the set before the Cardinals went on a 4-0 run down the stretch to take the set 25-18.

SET TWO: The Cardinals carried their momentum into the opening of the second set. The Salukis responded with a 3-0 run to take their first lead of the set, 8-7, before a service error evened the game at eight. The Cardinals came back with a 4-0 run, capped by a solo block from Allison and a kill from Eregie. The Cardinals held a 15-9 lead at the timeout and continued to build their lead out of the break, scoring seven consecutive points on kills. Sofia Grimm closed out the set with an ace as the Cardinals cruised to a 25-14 win in the second set.

SET THREE: Southern Illinois opened the third set on a 4-0 run, including three service aces. UIW responded quickly with a 4-0 run of its own to bring the game even. A block assist from Grimm and Gabby Fish gave the Cardinals their first lead of the set, followed by a 3-0 run to extend the advantage. A kill from Grimm sent the set to the media timeout with the Cardinals leading, 15-11. UIW continued to build its lead out of the break, using another 4-0 run to take a 19-12 advantage. The Salukis kept pace late in the set, but Tu'ufuli closed it out with a kill to give UIW a 25-19 win and a 3-0 sweep. 

GAME 2

SET ONE: Tu'ufuli grabbed the first three points for the Cardinals as the match stayed close early. Grimm recorded an ace to give UIW a 6-3 lead before the Cardinals began to pull away. Tu'ufuli notched another kill to send the set to the media timeout, with UIW leading 15-12. The Cardinals maintained their slight edge out of the break, extending their lead to 20-16 before the Hawkeyes called a timeout. Iowa cut the deficit to two, but a kill from Tu'ufuli kept Iowa at bay as the Cardinals took the first set, 25-21.

SET TWO: The Cardinals jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the set after back-to-back kills from Eregie and Grimm. UIW continued to build momentum, pulling away to take a 12-4 lead. Iowa put together a 4-0 run to bring it back within four before a kill from Eregie halted the momentum. Iowa continued to claw its way back, putting together several runs to erase the early deficit and take the set, 25-23.

SET THREE: Iowa carried the momentum into the third set, opening with a 4-0 run. UIW was forced to take its first timeout as the Hawkeyes built their lead to 9-2. The Cardinals responded with two quick points out of the break, but Iowa answered with another 3-0 run to prompt another UIW timeout. The Cardinals mounted a late 5-0 surge but could not overcome the deficit. Iowa closed with a 3-0 run to take the third set, 25-15. 

SET FOUR: The two teams traded points early in the fourth set before Iowa used a 3-0 run to take a 10-6 lead. Tu'ufuli recorded her 10th kill of the match to bring the Cardinals within four. The Hawkeyes continued to build their advantage, taking a 15-9 lead into the media timeout. Much like the third set, Iowa pulled away down the stretch, closing out the fourth set, 25-15, to secure the victory.

Notables:

• The Cardinals hit a combined .336 against Southern Illinois, their highest hitting percentage this season as a team.

• Tu'ufuli led the team in kills through both matches, combining for 22 kills, three blocks and five digs. She hit a season-high .286 against Southern Illinois.

• Eregie had 11 kills, hitting .611 in the first match against the Salukis. She added two blocks and two digs defensively. She led the team with three total blocks against the Hawkeyes.

• Allison posted a double-double in both matches, recording 55 assists and 28 digs, nine kills, and three total blocks. 

• Alana Kolb notched her first kill as a Cardinal against Southern Illinois. 

• Fish recorded a career-high six kills against Southern Illinois before topping that mark with seven kills against Iowa.

• Ashley Go made her collegiate debut against the Hawkeyes. 

The Cardinals will close out their non-conference slate in Waco, taking on Baylor on Sept. 16 before facing UTEP on Sept. 17.

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.