SAN ANTONIO -- Sitting tied for third in the conference standings, the University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team welcomes McNeese on Thursday night before hosting Nicholls on Saturday afternoon.
Last week, the Cardinals split their matches, pushing Southeastern Louisiana to five sets before falling, 3-2, and then bouncing back with a sweep of New Orleans.
Against the Lions last Thursday, Incarnate Word set the conference's single-game high with 71 kills. Five Cardinals recorded double-digit kills, led by Calissa Allison, who set a season high with 19. She added 19 digs and 31 assists for her second triple-double of the season. She now has 15 career triple-doubles, moving her into 10th in the all-time NCAA career triple-double list.
Incarnate Word set another conference high in service aces during its sweep of New Orleans on Saturday. The Cardinals recorded 15 aces, including eight in the opening set. Victoria Hall led the way with a career-high six service aces. Defensively, UIW held the Privateers to a .113 hitting percentage, well below their season average, in the Cardinals' sweep.
Here's a look at the Cardinals' home slate this week.
MCNEESE (8-11, 4-4 Southland)
WHEN AND WHERE: Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m., McDermott Center (San Antonio, Texas)
ABOUT THE COWGIRLS: McNeese currently sits tied for fifth place in the SLC standings after winning its last three conference matches. Last week, the Cowgirls defeated East Texas A&M in five sets before sweeping Northwestern State. McNeese leads the SLC and ranks 12th nationally with 16.69 digs per set. Freshman libero Sophia Tocmo anchors the defense, ranking fourth in the nation with 5. 38 digs per set and 21st in total digs with 350. Offensively, Gabbie Maldonado leads the Cowgirls with 191 kills, averaging 2.94 per set.
MATCHUP HISTORY: The all-time series is tied 10-10 between the two teams. Incarnate Word enters the matchup on a three-game winning streak, while McNeese's last win came in 2023 in Lake Charles. Before the Cardinals' current streak, the Cowgirls had won six consecutive meetings.
NICHOLLS (9-12, 2-6 Southland)
WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m., McDermott Center (San Antonio, Texas)
ABOUT THE COLONELS: Nicholls has been swept in its last three matches, including two last week at home against East Texas A&M and Northwestern State. Their two conference wins have come in four-sets against New Orleans and a sweep of Lamar. The Colonels have a balanced offensive attack, as they have five players with at least 100 kills. Natalia Navarro anchors the defense with 301 digs while Maya Schirmer leads with 64 blocks.
MATCHUP HISTORY: UIW leads the all-time series, 13-3, over Nicholls. The Cardinals are on a five-game winning streak, sweeping the Colonels in their last two matchups. Nicholls' last win came in 2022 in San Antonio.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on X @UIWAthletics, and on Instagram @uiw_athletics.
Follow the team on X @UIWVolleyball and on Instagram @uiw_volleyball.
