SAN ANTONIO - The University of Incarnate Word women's volleyball team starts Southland Conference play this week hosting two matches at home. The Cardinals will face Nicholls State Thursday night, September 22 at 6 p.m., then will play Saturday (Sept. 24) against the University of New Orleans (UNO) to finish up the week at 1 p.m.
FOLLOW THE MATCH
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
Nicholls (UIW 3-1; 25-23, 25-16, 18-25, 25-21)
The last time the Cardinals faced the Colonels was October 30, 2021. In a regular conference matchup, UIW was able to outlast the last-second momentum that came from Nicholls in the four-set match.
The Cardinals took the first two sets, but the Colonels came back to win the third after trailing most of the game. In a set that came down to the wire, UIW went on a 5-0 run to win the fourth. Annamarie Alvarez finished the match with nine kills and three blocks. Allison Palmi also had nine kills, an ace, and a block. Defensively, Audrey Patton contributed 15 digs in the win.
For Nicholls State, Katie Jones led the charge with 12 kills and two blocks. The now graduate student has been averaging seven kills a game. Lilly Bivens, now senior, had 41 assists.
New Orleans (UIW 3-2; 24-26, 25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 15-12)
In a thriller that it was, the Cardinals beat the Privateers in a close game that stretched all the way to five sets. The win propelled the Cardinals into the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament for the first time in program history.
The Privateers took the first set and UIW took the second. Then again, New Orleans took the third. In the fourth set, the Cardinals bounced back from being down. With back-to-back aces and a kill to match, UIW was too much for the Privateers. After taking set four it was a winner take all in set five.
Yet again points were tossed back and forth. Jacqueline Arrington came up big with a kill down the middle to propel the Cardinals to a 15-12 victory. Alvarez finished the stellar game with 17 kills and two blocks. Risa Sena also contributed 14 kills, two blocks, and 12 digs.
UIW (1-9)
The Cardinals are coming off a challenging week at the Roadrunner Classic. After taking the undefeated Valparaiso Beacons to five sets the Cardinals saw glimpses of their potential. Currently leading the team are juniors Palmi and Alvarez. With Palmi averaging three kills a set, and Alvarez with two a set, the Cardinal offense is forming at just the right time.
Nicholls (3-9)
The Colonels are currently on a losing streak going into the weekend. With senior Devon Bright and grad student Katie Jones leading the team offensively and sophomore Kadie Becnel leading the team defensively, Nicholls State is coming with an appetite for a win.
UNO (6-6)
After a weekend at the UTA Classic, the Privateers are coming in hot. There they swept Prairie View A&M and set a national block record (most blocks in a three-set match this season with 17). Junior Rita Zecchin and freshman Kamryn Scroggins made the All-Tournament team as they've been the go-to people all season. UNO starts conference play Thursday, but there's no doubt they'll be on the hunt for a win this Saturday.
Purchasing single-game and group tickets is the best way to experience the Cardinal's volleyball program. Fans can visit www.uiwcardinals.com/tickets or call the UIW ticket office at (210)805-3000.
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--
