HOUSTON, Texas – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team is on the road for competition once again. The Cardinals are set to play in the Rice Adidas Invitational I. All matches will take place at Tudor Fieldhouse on Friday and Saturday.
OPENING SET
After finishing 1-2 last weekend at the Cougar Challenge Tournament in Washington, UIW is looking to have a weekend of success. The Cardinals will kick off their first day of battle against the University of California, Berkeley on Friday at 12:30 p.m. The Bears enter the tournament on a five game winning streak with recent victories over Loyola University Chicago, Seattle University, Dartmouth College, Eastern Washington and Texas Tech. UIW will face Rice, the hosting team, on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Owls are currently 4-3 with wins over Southern Methodist University, Mississippi State, Wake Forest University and Abilene Christian.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
Rice vs. Louisiana: 10 a.m.
UIW vs. California: 12:30 p.m.
Rice vs. California: 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
California vs. Louisiana: 11 a.m.
Rice vs. UIW: 4 p.m.
Louisiana vs. Mississippi State: 7:30 p.m.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
2017: 5-1 overall, 0-0 Pac 12
Last Match: W 3-1, Texas Tech (9/2)
Head Coach: Matt McShane
Key Offensive Players:
#18 Antzela Dempi (2.91 kills/set)
#24 Carmen Annevelink (2.86 kills/set)
#21 Mackenzie Albrecht (6.32 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#15 Jessica Gaffney (3.71 digs/set)
#3 Mima Mirkovic (3.59 digs/set)
#7 Caihla Petiprin (1.14 blocks/set)
Summary
The Bears finished with a 9-21 overall record in 2016. The team capped off its season 3-17 in the Pac 12. Cal's last match was a 3-1 success over Texas Tech on Sept. 2.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
2017: 4-3 overall, 0-0 C-USA
Last Match: L 3-0, Colorado (9/2)
Head Coach: Genny Volpe
Key Offensive Players:
#11 Nicole Lennon (3.80 kills/set)
#39 Seyvion Waggoner (2.46 kills/set)
#3 Madison McDaniel (10.60 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#5 Lee Ann Cunningham (5.12 digs/set)
#3 Madison McDaniel (2.44 digs/set)
#22 Portia Okafor (0.88 blocks/set)
Summary
Rice had a 20-12 overall record last season. The Owls went 10-4 in Conference USA to finish fifth. The team suffered a 3-0 defeat by Colorado at the Omni Invitational on Sept. 2.
THE CARDINAL FILE
2017: 1-2 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Match: L 3-0 College of Charleston (9/1)
Head Coach: Jennifer Montoya
Key Offensive Players:
#6
Autumn Lockley (2.82 kills/set)
#11
Sarea Alexander (2.27 kills/set)
#22
Madison Williams (8.18 assists/set)
Key Defensive Players:
#10
Brittany Muller (3.50 digs/set)
#4
Madelynn Miller (3.09 digs/set)
#11
Sarea Alexander (0.45 blocks/set)
Summary
UIW finished 12-17 overall and 8-8 in SLC play in 2016. The Cardinals only have a few games under their belt. UIW's last match ended in a 3-0 loss to the College of Charleston on Sept. 1.
UP NEXT
UIW Volleyball will continue competition on the road for the UTRGV tournament Sept.15-16.
STAY TUNED
The Cardinals are set to open conference in New Orleans, Louisiana against the Privateers. The match is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Human Performance Center.
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.
