NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team is back on the road for competition. The Cardinals will first travel to Natchitoches, Louisiana to face Northwestern State University. The match will take place on Thursday in Prather Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. UIW is set to play the University of Central Arkansas on Saturday at 12 p.m. in the Prince Center.
OPENING SET
The Cardinals (3-9 overall, 2-3 SLC) are coming off of thrilling four set win on their home court. The team registered a .283 attacking percentage, its best for the season thus far. NSU enters the match 1-2 in conference play and 6-12 overall. The Lady Demons suffered a three set loss to the Sugar bears last weekend.
Central Arkansas (14-2 overall) is on three game winning streak. The Sugar bears are sitting fourth in the conference rankings with a 3-1 SLC record. Before its meeting with UIW, Central Arkansas will see Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Oct. 5.
SCOUTING THE LADY DEMONS
2017: 6-12 overall, 1-2 SLC
Last Match: L 3-0, Central Arkansas (9/30)
Head Coach: Sean Kiracofe
Key Offensive Players:
#5 Reagan Rogers (2.80 kills/set)
#11 Hannah Brister (2.38 kills/set)
#12 Kathryn Wristen (8.96 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#1 Channing Burleson (4.23 digs/set)
#9 Alexis Warren (2.39 digs/set)
#7 Madeline Drake (0.85 blocks/set)
Summary: Northwestern State finished 7-9 in conference play last season and 12-20 overall. The Lady Demons fell to Central Arkansas 3-0 on Sept. 30.
SCOUTING THE SUGAR BEARS
2017: 14-2 overall, 3-1 SLC
Last Match: W 3-0, Northwestern State (9/30) *Will play A&M Corpus-Christi on 10/5*
Head Coach: Jeni Jones Chatman
Key Offensive Players:
#1 Haley Tippett (3.51 kills/set)
#5 Samantha Anderson (3.22 kills/set)
#16 Elizabeth Armstrong (10.40 assists/set)
#2 Emily Doss (3.42 digs/set)
#1 Haley Tippett (2.75 digs/set)
#11 Megan Nash (1.06 blocks/set)
Summary: Central Arkansas finished 9-7 in conference play last season and 16-14 overall. The Sugar Bears swept Northwestern State in three on Sept. 30.
THE CARDINAL FILE
2017: 3-9 overall, 2-3 SLC
Last Match: W 3-1, Nicholls (9/30)
Head Coach: Jennifer Montoya
Key Offensive Players:
#6
Autumn Lockley (2.91 kills/set)
#13
Cameron Edwards (2.26 kills/set)
#22
Madison Williams (8.96 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#4
Madelynn Miller (4.33 digs/set)
#10
Brittany Muller (3.50 digs/set)
#42
Bryaunea Hall (0.82 blocks/set)
Summary: UIW beat Nicholls 3-1 on Sept. 30 for its first home victory of the season.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the seventh match all-time between the two schools and Northwestern State holds the series lead with a 5-1 record over the Cardinals. UIW fell to the Lady Demons in four last season in Natchitoches.
Central Arkansas leads the series with three wins over the Cardinals' one. UIW last saw the Sugar Bears at the Crain Automotive Invitational last season. The Cardinals opened the tournament with a four set win over their opponents.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will play Stephen F. Austin in the McDermott Center on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
STAY TUNED
UIW will continue competition on their home court as they take on Lamar University in the battle of the Cardinals. The match will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14.
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow UIW Athletics on Twitter @UIWATHLETICS and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
