SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team opens up Southland Conference play this weekend against Central Arkansas on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and against Abilene Christian on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the McDermott Center.  The games are the first home games of the season for UIW.

The Cardinals (4-9, 0-0 SLC) are coming off a 1-2 showing at the Emerald Beach Islanders Classic Tournament in Corpus Christi last weekend.  UIW lost to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Boise State, while defeating Omaha.  Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS) was named to the Emerald Beach Islanders Tournament all-tournament team last weekend.  She had an impressive 37 kills with a .287 attack for the weekend.  This is Vidaurri's second all-tournament selection of the season.  She was also selected to the Texas Tech Tournament, all-tournament team, earlier in the season. 

The Cardinals are averaging 11.44 kills, 14.42 digs and 1.38 blocks per set for the season.  Vidaurri has been the top attacking threat with 2.98 kills per set and a .223 attack.  Kaitlyn Brooks (Sugar Land/Fort Bend Austin HS) has been the top setter on the squad with 5.82 assists per set as well as 2.20 digs per set.  Claudia Hernandez (San Antonio/Antonian HS) leads the defensive back line with 3.52 digs per set while Bryaunea Hall (Copperas Cove/Copperas Cove HS) has been strong at the net with 0.74 blocks per set.

Central Arkansas (7-7, 2-0) was picked to finish first in the Southland Conference in the pre-season coaches' poll.  They opened up Southland Conference play with wins over New Orleans and Abilene Christian.  The Sugar Bears are averaging 12.6 kills, 1.53 blocks and 12.35 digs per set.  Leading the way is Heather Schnars who is averaging 3.69 kills per set with a .263 attack percentage.  Megan Nash and Fulani Petties have 68 blocks combined, while Amy South is leading the Sugar Bears in assists with 419.

Abilene Christian (2-12, 0-1) was picked to finish 11th in the Southland Conference in the pre-season coaches' poll.   For the 2014 season, the Wildcats are averaging 10.58 kills, 13.54 digs and 1.97 blocks per set.  Sarah Siemens is averaging 7.49 assists per set while contributing nearly a kill and two digs per set.  Jennifer Loerch is the team's top attacker with 3.71 kills per set.  Madison Hoover contributes 4.04 digs per set while Lexi Mercier has 1.04 blocks per set. 

The matches are part of "Fight for Food" weekend that is presented by Whataburger.  Fans who bring in canned goods or make a monetary donation to the San Antonio Food Bank will receive a free Whataburger koozie and coupon while supplies last.
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