SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team has three consecutive home games this weekend at the McDermott Convocation Center. The Cardinals will face Nicholls State University in their home conference opener on Thursday at 7 p.m. Friday's match up will be against former conference rival Angelo State University at 6 p.m.  UIW volleyball will finish the weekend playing against McNeese State University on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Cardinals (4-4, 0-2) currently have 12.66 kills per set and a .203 attack percentage for the season.  Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS) leads the team with 3.14 kills per set and a .264 attack percentage along with 0.55 blocks per set.  Danielle Suarez (San Antonio/Antonian HS) has been the team's top setter this year with 5.52 assists per set while Sarah Cardenas (San Antonio/O'Connor HS) leads the defense with 4.00 digs per set.

It will be a long weekend for the Cardinals.  The Colonels of NSU (3-9 overall, 0-2 SLC) just suffered a loss to Lamar in three straight sets (25-19, 25-22, 25-22) this past Saturday. Even though the Colonels had more kills (34, 33), NSU fell short because of a.069 attack percentage and 26 errors.  Kayla Burling is leading NSU in kills with 134 and a .162 attack percentage followed by Kayla Mashburn with 112 kills and a .089 attack.

The Belles (8-2, 2-0 LSC) are coming off a straight sets win over Cameron University (25-12, 25-12, 25-17). The Bells have also just been name the No. 7 ranked team in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top-25 poll, which reflects the top ranking by the ASU Volleyball program ever.   ASU leads their opponents in kills (489-444), Aces (52-23), and assists (460-400).  The leading scorer for the Belles is Arielle Bond with 106 kills and a .264 attack. She is followed closely by Maddie Huth with a .263 attack and 102 kills.

To finish off the weekend, UIW will face the Cowgirls from McNeese State (8-8, 1-2 SLC).  MSU played a non-conference match against Prairie View A&M and won in straight sets (25-15, 25-7, 25-18) in their most recent outing.  Malina Sanchez is leading their offensive force with 221 kills and a .274 attack.  She is trailed by Sophie Tenbush (150 kills, .254 pct). Defensively, Kaylen Wolfe leads in digs with 177 followed by Sanchez with 140.
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