SAN ANTONIO - The University of Incarnate Word women's volleyball team wraps up the non-conference slate this weekend (Sept. 16-17) in the Roadrunner Classic hosted by UTSA.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Match One: UIW (1-6) vs. Valparaiso University (9-0) | Friday, September 16 at 10 a.m.
Match Two: UIW (1-6) vs. Houston Baptist University (6-3) | Friday, September 16 at 4 p.m.
Match Three: UIW (1-6) vs. UTSA (3-6) | Saturday, September 17 at 2 p.m.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
This will be the first time the Cardinals face the Valparaiso Beacons in program history. The Huskies and Roadrunners are long-time foes of the Cardinals.
UIW will get a sneak peek of Southland Conference opponent HBU before conference matches count. In their last meeting on October 21, 2021, the Cardinals lost 3-1 to the Huskies. In UIW Volleyball history, the Huskies have outwon the Cardinals 8-4.
In the last matchup between the Cardinals and UTSA, the game was forced into five sets as the Roadrunners won 2-3 after barely capturing the fifth set, 15-13. Annamarie Alvarez had a fantastic game with 11 kills and five blocks and Risa Sena followed closely behind her with eight kills, three aces, and a block.
UIW
Leading the charge for the Cardinals is junior Allison Palmi. With 65 kills to her name this season, along with eight aces and 69 digs, it's no wonder she's in the top 10 for conference kill standings. Taylor Stoops, the graduate transfer, is also a player to watch. In the 19 games she's played, Stoops has racked up 115 assists. She's also coming off a hot streak in Charleston where in two games, she tallied over 20 assists for the Cardinals.
Jacqueline Arrington and Kade Thomas are leading the defensive force for UIW. Together, they account for half of the Cardinals' 71 blocks. The dynamic duo was big in the second game of the CofC Invitational where the Cardinals forced Coastal Carolina to four sets.
The Cardinals have shown that they have a strong freshman class in their first six matches. Finley Evans has had a nice start to her collegiate career in quickly tallying 49 kills for the season. She had a strong showing at Tarleton State where she hit a career-high 15 kills and has shown to be a consistent player for the Cardinals. Thomas has also been important for the Cardinals, leading the defensive side, and Kyla Malone has recently shown her talents on the floor. At the CofC Invitational, Malone had a strong appearance in the last game against the Wofford Terriers, attacking for six kills and putting up a block .
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.
Follow the team on Twitter @UIWVolleyball and on Instagram @uiw_volleyball.
--UIW CARDINALS-
