NEW ORLEANS -- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team kicks off its 2018 season at the I-10 Challenge in New Orleans on Friday-Saturday. The Cardinals open the tournament against UTEP on Friday at 11 a.m. (CT) before taking on Louisiana-Lafayette at 4 p.m. UIW closes out the I-10 Challenge against host Tulane on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
THE TOURNAMENT

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  • vs. UTEP
  • vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
  • vs. Tulane
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THE CARDINALS

• UIW is led by first-year head coach Samantha Dabbs, who spent the past six years at North Florida.
• Dabbs' staff includes assistant coaches Evan Case and Ziva Recek-Blackmon and graduate assistant coach Ashlie Reasor.
• Senior Autumn Lockley was named to the Preseason All-Southland Conference second team on Aug. 16. During the 2017 season, she led the Cardinals with 240 kills -- a mark which ranked No. 9 in the SLC -- for an average of 2.86 kills per set.
• UIW returns 10 from the 2017 roster and has seven newcomers for the 2018 season.

 
SCOUTING UTEP

• UTEP was 6-22 overall and 3-11 in Conference USA action in 2017.
• The Miners are led by Holly Watts, who is in her sixth season in El Paso.
• Macey Austin led UTEP with 359 kills for 3.45 kills per set in 2017.

 
SCOUTING LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE

• Louisiana-Lafayette held a 21-11 overall record and a 13-3 mark in conference action in 2017.
• Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot, the all-time winningest head coach in Ragin'Cajun history, is in her 11th season with UL-Lafayette.
• Hali Wisnoskie led the Ragin' Cajuns with 332 kills and chipped in 60 blocks in 2017.

 
SCOUTING TULANE

• The Green Wave went 14-18 overall and 3-17 in American Athletic Conference play during the 2017 season.
• Jim Barnes enters his third season as the head coach of the Tulane volleyball program.
• In 2017, Dayna Kern led the Green Wave with 279 kills and 100 blocks.

 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals continue their six-match, season-opening road stint at the Creeds & Crests Classic on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.  UIW faces James Madison (10 a.m.) and UTSA (4:30 p.m.) on Aug. 31 before closing the tournament against host Texas State at noon Sept. 1.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.