LAKE CHARLES--  The McNeese volleyball team fell short in its comeback against Incarnate Word Sunday, dropping a Southland Conference match 3-1 (25-12, 25-18, 22-25, 28-26).
 
McNeese got off to a slow start and trailed 2-0 early in the match after dropping the first two sets 25-12 and 25-18.  The Cowgirls avoided a straight set sweep by picking up a 25-22 third set win. 
 
The Cowgirls got off to a slow start in the fourth set as well and trailed 15-8 before coming back to cut the Incarnate Word lead to one point (16-15). Incarnate Word scored the next three points to take a 19-15 lead before increasing its lead to 24-19.  McNeese fought off five match points and eventually tied the set at 24 all.  Both teams traded the next two points before Amber Fryer's kill gave McNeese a 26-25 lead, its first lead of the set.  After an Incarnate Word timeout, the Cardinals came out of the huddle and scored the next three points including two points that came from Cowgirl errors to win the fourth set 28-26 and the overall match.
 
Rebecca Korenek led McNeese with 12 kills, her second most in her career.  Fryer ended the match with seven kills while Kelly Graham dished out 31 assists and Malina Sanchez picked up 11 digs and Vanessa Bentley was credited with 10.
 
Incarnate Word was led by Angelique Vidaurri's match-high 24 kills and a .395 hitting percent.  Bryaunea Kelley also picked up 11 kills and seven blocks.
 
McNeese 10-12, 1-6 SLC will host Nicholls in a Southland Conference match on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.