SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team will travel on the road this week for two back-to-back conference matchups. After earning the first conference win on Saturday, the Cardinals look to keep their momentum as they continue into conference play.
FOLLOW THE MATCH
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
TAMU-Commerce (UIW, 0-3)
UIW and the Lions have met up a total of six times since TAMU-C's move to Division I athletics in the summer of 2022. Holding the upper hand in win totals is TAMU-C with five wins to UIW's one.
Their last matchup, about a year ago on the dot, saw the Lions sweep the Cardinals in a tight game. Only four of the most recent starting seven saw starts in the last match so with a new coach and different lineup it will be interesting to see how UIW will match up at the net. In the match, the Cardinals only had a difference of nine points in comparison to the Lions.
Kyla Malone led all teams with 15 kills, seven digs, and an ace. Risa Sena contributed six kills on nine attacks and defensively added six digs. Thomas Kade had a defensive day with three blocks.
Northwestern State (UIW, 2-3)
In their last meetup in November of 2022, the Cardinals lost a heartbreaker to the Demons. Taking the match to all five sets, Northwestern State took the match after defeating UIW 15-12 in set five. This game was the Cardinals' last matchup of the 2022 season taking place in the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament.
Annamarie Alvarez had a fantastic showing in the match with 19 kills, two blocks, and two digs. She and Malone (13 kills, two blocks, and 17 digs) led both teams in attacks with their totaled 32 kills.
The Cardinals actually scored more than the Deamons throughout all sets. UIW tallied 77 total points while NSU only had 71 despite winning the match. In addition, the Cardinals had 11 more kills than the opponents.
UIW (9-8)
Despite starting conference on a 0-4 losing streak, the Cardinals managed to break free after defeating Nicholls in three-straight sets this past Saturday. With their momentum riding high, Coach Gabby Ording looks to keep her team on the right track.
In SLC team statistics, the Cardinals still look like one of the main teams to beat. They remain in the top three for hitting percentage, points, kills, and service aces and in the top five for blocks and assists.
Alvarez is leading the conference in hitting. With her 118 kills on the season, she's managed to stay at an almost near-perfect percentage with .493. Looking at all the leaders in the top 10, she's played the second-fewest sets.
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--
