When Gabby Ording was hired in early 2023 as the new head volleyball coach at the University of the Incarnate Word, her blueprint for elevating the program initially wasn’t all that complex.

Ording simply wanted her new players to be excited about playing and to embrace a different vision. More than anything, though, the focus was on “volleyball things”.

But a funny thing happened. The modest goals turned into a record-setting season a year ago. The momentum carried into the offseason, where players became faster and stronger, and skills were sharpened. Recruiting brought in more talent, versatility and depth.

“It’s scary having a new coach come in when the one that recruited you is gone,” said junior outside hitter Kyla Malone, a former standout at New Braunfels Canyon who signed in November 2021 with previous head coach Samantha Dabbs Thomas. “Gabby’s a phenomenal coach, and she broke records for us last year, and there’s no doubt in my mind that she will lead us to do that again this year as well.”

The early returns have been promising. The Cardinals (5-1) have won five in a row after a season-opening loss to 2023 NCAA Division I tournament participant Stephen F. Austin. It’s the second straight year and third time in the past 16 seasons (2009 was the other) that they have opened a season with such a hot start.

Incarnate Word looks to continue its early success when it plays two matches on Friday at the Cowgirl Classic in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Cardinals face Florida A&M (5-2) at 1 p.m. and host McNeese State (2-4) at 6:30 p.m.

“We study, we film very hard, and it’s worked for us so far, that’s why we’ve been starting so well this season,” UIW junior outside hitter Finley Evans said.

An undeniable component for the Cardinals has been the contributions of newcomers Calissa Allison, Bella Ceja, Tayhlor Thomas, Alex Beauchamp and Ellie Kueseman. Ceja is a sophomore transfer from McNeese State, while the rest are freshmen.

Allison, a setter/outside hitter, has led the charge. She was named MVP of last week’s UTSA Invitational after recording a triple-double (25 assists, 18 digs, 13 kills) in the Cardinals’ five-set win vs. UTSA, their first vs. UTSA in seven meetings. It was Allison’s second triple-double on the season. She fell one kill vs. Sam Houston State on Aug. 30 and two kills vs. Abilene Christian on Sept. 6 from registering two more triple-doubles.

“We had some new pieces come in that just really helped us offensively and defensively,” said Ording, who a year ago led the Cardinals to 15 wins, their most since making the move to NCAA Division I in 2013. “Having that new group that’s really excited to be here and really wants to set the program record and go out there and just fight for conference. That’s kind of sparked all of this. I do have a ton of returners on the court who are still really hungry. We’re just trying to gel right now.”

The come-together moment might have occurred vs. UTSA. UIW won the first two sets, dropped the next two, and trailed 13-9 in the decisive fifth frame. But Kade Thomas had two kills and combined with Risa Sena for a block, and Evans had a kill and an ace as the Cardinals reeled off five straight points for a 14-13 advantage. UTSA fought off two match points to pull even at 15-15 on a kill from setter Makenna Wiepert.

UIW secured the historical win as Malone registered a kill for a 16-15 lead and Anuhea Faitau served an ace for the match-winner.

“We just know to stay calm,” Evans said. “We always say go back to the basics, reset, and stay calm. That pretty much helped us to fight through the games. We wanted it so badly, especially since we won the first two sets. We just knew, ‘fight to the finish, fight to the finish.’ “

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