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NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team will begin conference play in Louisiana. The Cardinals are set to face the University of New Orleans on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Human Performance Center. UIW will then travel to Hammond for Saturday's match in the University Center against Southeastern Louisiana University at 1 p.m.

OPENING SET

The Cardinals are coming off of two, five set defeats at the UTRGV tournament. The team's first conference match of the season will be against the Privateers (6-6). New Orleans played in the Fight like Hal Memorial Invitational last weekend. The squad was successful over Mississippi Valley State, but suffered 3-0 defeats by Western California and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Southeastern Louisiana has a 2-11 overall record, but will play against Texas A&M Corpus Christi on its home court on Thursday at 7 p.m. before seeing the Cardinals on Saturday.

SCOUTING THE PRIVATEERS

2017: 6-6 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Match: L 3-0, UAB-Birmingham (9/16)
Head Coach: Millicent Van Norden
Key Offensive Players:
#7 Blessing Dunn (2.33 kills/set)
#11 Kaitlyn Grice (2.09 kills/set)
#2 Manela Grau (7.04 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#7 Blessing Dunn (3.02 digs/set)
#1 Andrea Nava (2.89 digs/set)
#11 Kaitlyn Grice (1.30 blocks/set)
Summary: New Orleans finished 1-15 in the SLC last season and 5-25 overall. The squad competed in the Fight like Hal Memorial Invitational Sept. 15-16 and concluded the tournament with a three set defeat by UAB-Birmingham.

SCOUTING THE LADY LIONS

2017: 2-11 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Match: L 3-0, Mississippi State (9/16) *SLU will host Texas A&M Corpus Christi 9/21*
Head Coach: Jim Smoot
Key Offensive Players:
#9 Savannah Alcazar (1.93 kills/set)
#11 Chloee Holden (1.90 kills/set)
#17 Haley Baker (5.16 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#16 Lexie Torres (3.39 digs/set)
#9 Savannah Alcazar (2.14 digs/set)
#8 Tempestt Vaughn (0.76 blocks/set)
Summary: Southeastern had a 7-23 overall record last season and finished 6-10 in SLC play. The team is heading into its first Conference match of the season against A&M Corpus off of a 3-0 loss by Mississippi State on Sept. 16.

THE CARDINAL FILE

2017: 1-6 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Match: L 3-2, TSU (9/16)
Head Coach: Jennifer Montoya
Key Offensive Players:
#6 Autumn Lockley (2.76 kills/set)
#13 Cameron Edwards (2.04 kills/set)
#22 Madison Williams (8.21 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#4 Madelynn Miller (3.62 digs/set)
#10 Brittany Muller (3.50 digs/set)
#42 Bryaunea Hall (0.62 blocks/set)
Summary: UIW finished 12-17 overall and 8-8 in SLC play in 2016. The Cardinals wrapped up the UTRGV tournament last weekend with a 3-2 defeat by TSU.

SERIES HISTORY

UIW has a 4-0 record over New Orleans. The team swept UNO 3-0 on Oct. 22 in New Orleans last season.

The Cardinals has had victory over SLU twice. UIW beat the Lady Lions 3-2 in Hammond, Louisiana on Oct. 20, 2016.

UP NEXT

Volleyball will have its first home match of the season against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Cardinals will play the defending Conference Champions in the McDermott Convocation Center on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. 

STAY TUNED

The Cardinals will return to the McDermott Convocation Center to host McNeese on Thursday, Sept. 28. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWATHLETICS and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.