SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – This week the University of Incarnate Word volleyball team is set to host a pair of Southland Conference matches starting with Sam Houston State on Thursday at 7 p.m. and against Lamar on Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. start time.
The Cardinals (3-10, 1-3) have played three straight close matches, but have only come out on top in one of them. They will try to get back on the winning track with their two home matches this week. The attack is led by freshman outside hitter
Autumn Lockley (Leander/Leander HS) who averages 2.80 kills per set with a .217 attack and has been playing very well lately.
Shaina Garza (San Antonio/Warren HS) and
Angelique Vidaurri (San Antonio/Southwest HS) are each averaging over 2.00 kills per set.
Taylor McClelland (Cypress/Cypress Ranch HS) leads the team with 5.38 assists per set, but
Kaitlyn Brooks (Sugar Land/Fort Bend Austin HS) and
Madison Williams (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) will each be given the chance to direct the attack.
Claudia Hernandez (San Antonio/Antonian HS) leads the defensive effort with 3.60 digs per set from her libero position.
The Bearkats are 9-9 with a 3-1 SLC record. Their last match out, the Bearkats were defeated by McNeese State 3-2 at home giving them their first Southland loss on the season. However, Sam Houston State has four victories in their last five matches. Brooke White and Jordyn Vaughn provide a tough attacking duo for the squad. White averages 3.48 kills per set with a .172 attack while Vaughn contributes 3.30 kills per set with a .130 attack. Michelle Griffith directs the attack with 10.20 assists per set while Claire Kilpatrick leads a defense that relies upon their back row strength with 4.13 digs per set. Overall, the team is averaging 12.52 kills per set with a .159 attack.
Lamar makes the trip to the McDermott Center on Saturday afternoon in what will be the battle of the Cardinals. Lamar has started the season 12-5 with a 2-1 SLC record. The team is a perfect 8-0 at home, but they have been vulnerable on the road with a 1-3 away record. In their last match out, Lamar defeated Nicholls 3-1 for their second conference win on the year. Lamar has a balanced attack led by Chelsea Grant and Cortney Moore who are each averaging 2.75 kills per set with close to a .400 attack percentage. Haley Morton and Ashley Ellis split the setting duties for a team that averages 12.03 kills per set with a .245 attack. Grant headlines a strong net defense with 1.41 blocks per set while Lauren Stahlman is averaging 4.13 digs per set.
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