SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word women's volleyball team travels to Huntsville, Texas for the Bearkat Invitational. On Friday, the Cardinals play conference foe Stephen F. Austin at 12 p.m. and Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, UIW closes the tournament against PVAMU at 12:30 p.m.  

UIW 

• The Cardinals welcome back nine returners, including eight that appeared on the Cardinals leaderboard in stats from the 2023 season. Last year's leader in blocks (89.0), Kade Thomas is back along with last year's leader in service aces (48) and assists (698), Natalie Kimmel. 

• Head coach Gabryel Ording returns for her second season following a record breaking first season after finishing 15-16.  

• UIW was selected to finish eighth in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll.  

Scouting the Bearkats 

• Sam Houston was selected to finish tenth in the Conference USA Preseason Poll after finishing last season 7-22.  

• The Bearkats added six new faces for the 2024 season.  

• Sam Houston brings back four seniors from last season's squad. 

Scouting the Ladyjacks 

• In their first season back in the Southland Conference SFA claimed the number one spot in this season's Preseason Poll. 

• Izabella Ortiz and Tanishua Joseph were named to the SLC Preseason Second Team.  

• Ortiz led the Ladyjacks in blocks last season with 151. Joseph finished fourth in kills with 254 and fourth in blocks with 84. 

Scouting the Lady Panthers 

• PVAMU was selected to finish fourth in the SWAC fresh off one of its winningest seasons in several years. 

• A trio of Lady Panthers, Leah Lawson, Kylee Owens, and Janyah Henderson were all selected to the SWAC Preseason All-Conference First Team.  

• Owens led the team in kills (361), Lawson led the conference in assists averaging 8.81 per set, and Henderson placed 219 kills, leading the conference in hitting percentage (.383). 

FOLLOW ALONG 
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on X @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics. 
Follow the team on X @UIWVolleyball and on Instagram @uiw_volleyball. 

--UIW CARDINALS--