LAFAYETTE, LA- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team travels to Lafayette, Louisiana, for the I-10 Challenge on Friday and Saturday. UIW takes on host Louisiana-Lafayette and Tulane on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. The Cardinals finish the tournament with UTEP on Saturday at 10 a.m.
 
I-10 CHALLENGE 

• UIW vs. Louisiana 
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• UIW vs. Tulane 
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• UIW vs. UTEP
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THE CARDINALS 

• UIW is led by second-year head coach Samantha Dabbs-Thomas.
• Dabbs' staff includes assistant coaches Evan Case and Ziva Recek-Blackmon and graduate assistant coach Ashlie Reasor.
• Sophomore Bethany Clapp was named to the Preseason All-Southland Conference first team on Aug. 15 after earning SLC Freshman of the Year following the 2018 season. During the 2018 season, she led the Cardinals with 324 kills and 369.5 points – a mark which ranked No. 4 in the SLC – for an average of 3.41 kills and 3.89 points per set.
• UIW finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 10-17 overall and 7-9 SLC record.
• UIW returns seven from the 2018 roster and has seven newcomers for the 2019 season.
• Returners include – seniors Cameron Taylor and Allison Waits – juniors Julia Monday, Alyssa Carlin – sophomores Pilar Gonzaba, Bethany Clapp and Carissa McGarity. 
• Newcomers include transfers Chase Jackson, Tatum Raulie, McKayla Landreth and freshmen Camden Gray, Presley Blaylock, Christina Roofe and Maddi Brown.

 
SCOUTING LOUISIANA

• Louisiana bested Houston Baptist, 3-2, in an exhibition match.
• Celeste Darling delivered 12 kills and contributed four blocks. Dree'Anna Abram tallied 11 kills. 
• UIW fell, 3-0, to the Ragin' Cajuns in 2018.
• Louisiana is led by 12th-season Head Coach Heather Mazeitis-Fontenot. 

 
SCOUTING UTEP

• UTEP added 10 players to the 2019 roster, including six freshman and four transfers.
• The Cardinals fell to UTEP, 3-1, at the I-10 Challenge in 2018.
• The Miners enter the season under with new Head Coach Ben Willis at the helm.

SCOUTING TULANE

• The Green Wave won in an exhibition match, 3-2, against Stephen F. Austin.
• Senior Erika Hansel led Tulane with 15 kills. Makala Heidelberg produced a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs.
• UIW last met with Tulane in 2018, when the Cardinals fell, 3-0. 
• Tulane is led by Head Coach Jim Barnes for his fourth season.

 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals hit the road again Sept. 6 for the 2019 Maverick Classic where they face Southern University at 11 a.m. That contest will be followed by a matchup against host UT Arlington at 6:30 p.m. UIW rounds out the tournament against UNC Greensboro on Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. 
 
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. You can also follow the volleyball team on Twitter @UIWVolleyball and Instagram @UIW_Volleyball.