University of Incarnate Word senior middle blocker/outside hitter Annamarie Alvarez had ice packs on her right shoulder and her left knee. The post-match treatment helps mitigate the wear and tear of a season.

Developments over the past week, including on Tuesday, have Alvarez and her volleyball teammates tasked with finding a therapeutic for something more crucial — reversing a winless start in Southland Conference play.

Paced by a balanced and near-flawless attacking performance, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated the Cardinals 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 Tuesday at McDermott Center.

The Islanders’ triumph was the latest in a tough opening slate for UIW (8-7 overall, 0-3 in SLC play). The Cardinals began league competition vs. defending champion Southeastern Louisiana, Houston Christian University, this year’s preseason choice to win the title, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the 2020 and 2021 SLC winner.

“I think it’s just staying invested as a whole team and just staying eyes on the prize, not getting too deflated,” said Alvarez, who had 12 kills and a .750 hitting percentage. “The (first three opponents) challenged us, for sure. Starting conference and playing top teams, we’re getting into our flow and we’re looking to bounce back.”

The first chance to rebound comes when UIW hosts McNeese State at 6 p.m. Thursday, a quick turnaround after the Cardinals lost their 18th straight to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (7-8, 2-1) and 19th in 20 all-time meetings. UIW’s lone win came in November 2001.

Being a masterful job by setter Belle Morgan of directing her team’s offense, the Islanders were too much for UIW to handle. Morgan had 44 assists and propelled an attack that had a .376 hitting clip. Kyndal Payne had a team-high 21 kills, including notching her 1,000th career kill, and a .486 hitting percentage. Rylee Achtzehn added 13 kills and a .545 hitting clip.

“My job as the setter is to put the hitters in the best position possible to score,” said Morgan, who transferred to Texas A&NM-Corpus Christi after playing the previous four seasons at Villanova. “We try to run a balanced offense so that it’s difficult for the other team. It was great to see us execute that tonight.”

Just as formidable was the Islanders’ defense, which collected 53 digs, led by Zoria Heard’s 13. UIW had a .204 hitting effort, but likely could have been better if not for its opponent digging attacks that normally might have found the floor.

“I feel they put us in a really good position to learn our weaknesses, and we welcome it,” UIW senior libero Mariela Nieto said. “Volleyball is a game of mistakes, and it’s an everyday lesson. We’re working on not repeating those in the future.”

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