SAN ANTONIO – A strong all-around performance propelled the University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team to a 3-1 win over Tarleton State on Saturday afternoon. After dominating the opening set, the Cardinals answered a Tarleton surge in the third with a late run before taking the fourth set to secure the win. UIW posted season highs in three categories, putting together one of its complete performances of the season.
SET ONE: UIW controlled the opening set from the start, opening on a 4-0 run. Two Tarleton errors promoted a Texans timeout with the Cardinals holding a 9-3 advantage. Out of the timeout, Alex Beauchamp recorded the second ace of the set to make it 1-3 before a kill from Kitana Tu'ufuli sent the match into the media timeout. Isabella Ceja added another ace out of the break, and a kill from Vanessa Eregie pushed the Cardinals back to a double-digit lead. Beauchamp then recorded her team-leading fourth kill of the set as UIW closed out the opening set. The Cardinals recorded four service aces in the first set, surpassing their total from any complete match this season.
SET TWO: Lilly Roach opened the second set with a kill before the teams traded points to bring the game even at five. A kill from Beauchamp halted a 3-0 Tarleton run and brought the Cardinals within one at 7-6. Ashton Rogers followed with an ace to make it a one-point game again and forced a Tarleton timeout. Tu'ufuli recorded a solo block out of the break to tie the game back up, but the Texans responded with two aces for a three-point advantage heading into media timeout. UIW went on a 3-0 run to tie up the game at 15, but Tarleton responded with a 7-0 run of its own. Tu'ufuli stopped the run with a kill, but the Texans went on to take the second set, 25-20.
SET THREE: Carrying momentum from the second set, the Texans took an early 7-2 lead. UIW responded with back-to-back kills from Sofia Grimm and Roach to cut the deficit to three at 12-9. Tarleton carried a 15-11 lead into the media timeout before the Cardinals answered with a 3-0 run. Two consecutive aces from Ceja tied the set at 17 as UIW continued to battle back. The Texans regained a 20-18 lead, promoting a Cardinal timeout. Eregie then delivered three straight kills to give Cardinals first lead of the set. Eregie accounted for five of the Cardinal's final seven points as UIW closed out the third set, 25-21.
SET FOUR: The fourth set remained close early, with the teams going back and forth before UIW pulled ahead 9-7. The Cardinals maintained their narrow advantage into the media timeout after a big kill from Tu'ufuli. Tarleton began to close the gap, cutting the deficit to one at 18-17, ultimately forcing the Cardinals to take a timeout after tying it up. UIW went on a crucial 4-0 after the timeout, propelling them to a set four victory and securing the win.
Notables
The Cardinals hit the road next for the University of Iowa Tournament, taking on Missouri State on Thursday, Sept. 10, before facing Southern Illinois and host Iowa on Friday, Sept. 11.
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.
