CANYON, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team starts their 2013 campaign this weekend with four matches at the BritKare Lady Buff Classic hosted by West Texas A&M.
    
The Cardinals open play on Friday with a 9 a.m. match with Western State out of Colorado.  Later in the day, they will take on Lubbock Christian at 3:30 p.m.  On Saturday, they play University of Colorado-Colorado Springs at 11 a.m. and then close out the tournament with a 3:30 p.m. match with UT-Permian Basin.
    
The Cardinals return three starters from last year's squad in senior setter Danielle Suarez (San Antonio/Antonian HS), senior outside hitter Beth Soukup (Helotes/O'Connor HS) and sophomore outside hitter Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS).  Suarez led the team with 5.56 assists per set and contributed 2.42 digs per set in 2012.  Soukup averaged 1.82 kills per set with a .116 attack and had 2.70 digs per set while Vidaurri led the team with 2.56 kills per set along with a .137 attack and 47 blocks.
    
The Cardinals went 10-21 in their final season in NCAA Division II and make the step up this season to NCAA Division I and the Southland Conference.  The team's first home match is Sep. 16 at 7 p.m. against Texas Tech in the McDermott Center.
    
Be sure to get the latest news and scores for the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UIWAthletics.
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