SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team will open the 2025 season at the Wildcat Classic in Abilene, Texas. The Cardinals begin play against the University of Oklahoma on Friday at 4 p.m. before closing out the tournament on Saturday with a doubleheader against host Abilene Christian University and Missouri State University. All matches will be held inside Moody Coliseum on the campus of Abilene Christian.
 

How to Follow Along 

• Matchday Link 

UIW  

• UIW is coming off a historic 2024 campaign, posting 17 overall wins and 10 conference victories—both program records since moving to Division I in 2013. 

• Calissa Allison earned First Team All-Conference honors after leading the Cardinals in kills, points, and service aces. 

• The Cardinals return 12 players, including six starters from last season's conference tournament run. 

• Head Coach Gabby Ording enters her third season at the helm after guiding UIW to its first conference semifinal appearance since 2021 and breaking the program's single-season wins record for the second time. 

Scouting the Sooners 

• Senior Alexis Shelton was named to the AVCA Preseason Player of the Year Watch List presented by Nike Volleyball. A 2024 third-team All-American, she tallied 455 kills and averaged 4.38 kills/set last season. 

• Oklahoma returns seven players from its 2024 NCAA Tournament roster, including starters Shelton, Kelli Jo Burgess, and Whitney Wallace. 

• The Sooners were picked seventh in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

  Scouting the Wildcats 

• ACU bolstered its roster with four newcomers: libero Brennan Ramirez (Texas), middle blocker Erika Gustafson(Montana State), outside hitter Aubrey Beaver (Cal State-Fullerton), and freshman Aliyah Jowers (Abilene Wylie HS). 

• The Wildcats finished 10-18 overall and 5-11 in conference in 2024. 

• ACU was selected fifth in the WAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. 

  Scouting the Bears 

• Missouri State returns standout hitter Rilynn Finley, who recorded 373 kills as a freshman. 

• The Bears posted a 13-19 overall record and went 6-12 in conference play last season as members of the Missouri Valley Conference. 

• Entering their inaugural season in Conference USA, the Bears were picked ninth in the preseason poll. 

  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--