NATCHITOCHES, LA – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball continues Southland Conference play on Saturday with a matchup against Northwestern State starting at 1 p.m. in the Prather Coliseum. The Cardinals are coming off a 3-1 victory over Prairie View A&M on Wednesday evening and will go for their second consecutive victory away from the McDermott Center.

OPENING SET

This will be the first matchup of the season between the Cardinals (5-10, 1-2 SLC) and the Lady Demons. Northwestern State enters Saturday by winning three of their last four matches all against conference opponents. The Lady Demons are currently 1-1 at the Prather Coliseum and the team's attack is averaging 10.9 kills/ set with a .121 attacking percentage.

Northwestern State (8-11, 3-1 SLC) currently sits in fourth place in the conference standings after their 3-1 start. Last season, the Cardinals went 1-1 against the Lady Demons and both teams won their match at home.

SCOUTING THE LADY DEMONS

2016: 8-11 overall, 3-1 SLC
Last Match: L 3-0, Texas A&M – Corpus Christi
Head Coach: Sean Kiracofe
Key Attacking Players:
# 5 So. Reagan Rodgers (3.42 Kills/ Set)
#9 Fr. Alexis Warren (2.91 Kills/ Set)
#8 Sr. Lauren Agan (2.38 Kills/ Set)
#11 Sr. Natalie Jaeger (8.71 Assists/ Set)
Key Defensive Players:
# 1 So. Channing Burleson (5.15 Digs/ Set)
#7 So. Madeline Drake (0.81 Blocks/ Set)

THE CARDINAL FILE

2016: 5-10 overall, 1-2 SLC
Last Match: W 3-1, Prairie View A&M
Head Coach: Jennifer Montoya
Key Attacking Players:
#6 So. Autumn Lockley (3.48 Kills/ Set)
#42 Jr. Bryaunea Hall (2.15 Kills/ Set)
#22 Jr. Madison Williams (6.94 Assists/ Set)
Key Defensive Players:
#18 Sr. Shaina Garza (2.94 Digs/ Set)
#6 So. Autumn Lockley (2.56 Digs/ Set)
#11 Jr. Sarea Alexander (0.92 Blocks/ Set)

SERIES HISTORY

This will be the sixth match all-time between the two schools and Northwestern State holds the series lead with a 4-1 record over the Cardinals. UIW got their first victory over the Lady Demons last season with a 3-2 win on Oct. 3, 2015 at the McDermott Center.

UP NEXT
Once the Cardinals finish play against Northwestern State, they will continue the season on Thursday against Sam Houston State starting at 7 p.m. in the McDermott Center.