SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team has two remaining home games this week. They host Nicholls on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and McNeese State on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

The Cardinals (8-18, 4-8 SLC)  are coming off a non-conference four-set loss to UT-Pan American on Tuesday night, but are looking to finish the season with a strong push, with four home games left in their schedule.  Both the Cardinals and McNeese State (14-14, 4-8) are tied in the Southland Conferencewith four wins each.  Nicholls (9-16, 5-7) is right ahead of them in the standings, with five wins.

Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS) has led the UIW attack for most of the season and still leads them with 298 kills and 3.20 per set.  Freshman Madison Williams (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) has stepped up to be the lone setter in the Cardinals new lineup and has averaged 51 assists per match since becoming the starter. Claudia Hernandez (San Antonio/Antonian HS) leads the Cardinals with 262 digs.  As a team, the Cardinals are hitting .161 while averaging 11.6 kills, 14.0 digs and 1.7 blocks per set.

Nicholls is coming off a conference win at home, where they swept last-place New Orleans.  The Colonels have not performed well on the road this year.  They are 1-8 away from home this year.  Sophomore Kaci Eaton leads the Colonels in kills with 371, and also ranks second in all of the Southland Conference with 4.22 kills per set. Senior defensive specialist, Kalynn Egea ranks at the top of the SLC in digs, with a total of 493 and an average of 5.8 per set.  Ainsley Marroccoli leads the team with 6.5 assists per set. This season the Colonels are hitting .173 and average 12.0 kills, 17.4 digs and 1.6 blocks per set.

McNeese State (14-14, 4-8 SLC) has won four of their last six matches, including their last two contests. They swept both New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana at home last week.  Junior Malina Sanchez has 60 service aces this season, leading the entire SLC by more than 20 and her total also ranks third in NCAA division I. Sanchez also leads the team with 3.68 digs per set.  Rachel Cagnina leads the Cowgirls with 259 kills, while Amber Fryer is right behind with 253.  Kelly Graham leads the team with 970 assists which is good for seventh in the SLC. This season, the Colonels are hitting .188 and are averaging 11.9 kills, 14.6 digs, and 1.7 blocks per set.
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