HOUSTON – After winning three of their last four matches, HCU volleyball hosted UIW for the first of two matches versus the Cardinals this week.  
 

The Cardinals started the first set on a 4-0 scoring run, but the Huskies battled back as the set progressed, evening the score at 18-18. UIW then found a 7-1 scoring run that took over the set, and starting the match 1-0. In the second set, HCU rallied by taking an immediate 5-1 lead, and held onto the lead throughout the set. After a slight UIW comeback that tied the score 24-24, Katy Barger ended the set with two straight kills, shifting the momentum in the Huskies' favor. Both teams kept the third set a back-and-forth battle, with the Huskies trailing 22-20 late in the set. A kill by Joya Euhus opened a 5-0 run by the Huskies that won the third set 25-22. In the fourth set, HCU started on a 4-1 run led by two Joya Euhus kills and two Malaya Balina-Ayers service aces. After coming back and taking a late 16-15 lead, the Cardinals finished the set on a 9-1 scoring run that ended the set 25-16, forcing a fifth set. After both teams opened the set 2-2, UIW caught a sudden momentum shift, scoring six straight and fending off any Husky rallies to win the set, 15-7, ending the match 3-2 in favor of the Cardinals. 
 

In a hard-fought match, HCU was led by Katy Barger, who added 20 kills in the match, setting a new career high. Sa'Myah Medford also had a large impact on the match by adding 18 kills of her own. 
 

The Huskies will travel to San Antonio to face the Cardinals again on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1 pm.