SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of Incarnate Word volleyball team will host a pair of conference rivals this week as the team plays their first match of the 2015 season at the McDermott Convocation Center.  On Thursday, the Cardinals welcome Stephen F. Austin in a matchup that begins at 7 p.m., and they continue the home stand with a match against Northwestern State on Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

The match against the Ladyjacks (10-8, 2-0) will be the home opener for the Cardinals (2-8, 0-1) in the 2015 campaign and the first chance for many fans to see the team live in person. The Cardinals started out the season with their first 10 matches on the road or in a neutral setting. After a tough start to the year, the Cardinals are hoping to build off of last season's performance at the McDermott Convocation Center where they finished 2-2 in their last four home matches of 2014.

A key player for the Cardinals so far on the season is sophomore outside hitter Sarea Alexander (San Antonio/MacArthur HS) who is starting to heat up for UIW.  In her last two matches against NC State and Central Arkansas, Alexander had a combined 15 kills while only committing four errors. In her last match against the Sugar Bears, she posted an impressive .444 hitting percentage and also led the team in service aces with three.  

The Ladyjacks have won four straight matches entering their contest with the Cardinals.  The Stephen F. Austin volleyball team has been very good at defending their home court this season going 7-0 in Shelton Gym, but away from home, they have been vulnerable going 3-8.   Jacque Allen and Justice Walker are the top attacking option for the team.  Allen averages 2.63 kills per set with a .347 attack while Walker is averaging 2.55 kills per set with a .291 attack.  Channon Connell directs the offense with 10.07 assists per set.

In the other match of the week, the Cardinals take on the Demons (3-13, 1-2).  Lauren Agan is the top attacking player on the team with 2.61 kills per set while Glynna Johnson chips in with 1.53 kills per set on a .344 attack.  Johnson is averaging just under one block per set.

The Cardinals are 1-2 all-time against the Ladyjacks and 0-3 all-time against the Demons.
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