SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word volleyball team opens Southland Conference play this week, welcoming East Texas A&M on Thursday at 6 p.m. before hosting Northwestern State on Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Cardinals wrapped up their non-conference slate last weekend at the Baylor Classic, pushing No. 18 Baylor and Mountain West Conference favorite UTEP to four sets. UIW was the only team in the Southland Conference to schedule four Power Four opponents and was one of just two teams to play a ranked opponent.

Calissa Allison continues to orchestrate the Cardinal offense and has stepped into the role of setting and hitting for the Cardinals this season. She has recorded five double-doubles through nine matches, totaling 225 assists, 91 digs and 58 kills. Kitana Tu'ufuli leads the team with 104 kills on the season, averaging 2.97 kills per set, which ranks ninth in the Southland Conference. 

Ashton Rogers anchors the Cardinal defense, ranking 39th nationally and fourth in the conference with 4.59 digs per set. Sofia Grimm leads UIW at the net with 21 blocks on the season.

Heading into conference play, the Cardinals will look to build on the experience gained from a challenging non-conference schedule as they begin their Southland Conference slate.
 

EAST TEXAS A&M

WHEN AND WHERE: Thursday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., McDermott Center (San Antonio, Texas)

ABOUT THE LIONS: The Lions enter conference play with a 6-7 record, the third-best mark in the league. East Texas A&M is coming off a three-match losing streak at the UNT Invitational, falling to West Virginia, Tarleton State and North Texas. Outside hitter Ariana Brown and libero Jade Washington have each earned Southland Conference Player of the Week honors twice this season. Brown ranks fourth in the conference in kills per set (3.15), leading the Lions with 164 kills on the season, while Washington leads the team with 222 digs and averages 4.27 digs per set, fifth in the conference.

MATCHUP HISTORY: East Texas A&M leads the all-time series 11-10 against UIW. The teams met twice in 2025, with UIW taking both matches, winning 3-0 at home and 3-2 on the road. 

NORTHWESTERN STATE

WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday, Sept. 26 at 1 p.m., McDermott Center (San Antonio, Texas)

ABOUT THE DEMONS: Northwestern State enters conference play with an 8-7 record, the second-best mark in the league. The Demons will visit Houston Christian before arriving in San Antonio and were one of three Southland teams that did not schedule a Power Four opponent during non-conference play. Northwestern State is coming off a 2-1 showing at the Troy Invitational, earning wins over The Citadel and Murray State. Three Demons have earned Southland Player of the Week honors this season. Freshman outside hitter Olivia Nzioki was named Offensive Player of the Week last week. Nzioki ranks third in the conference in kills per set (3.17), sixth in blocks (0.85), eighth in hitting percentage (.297), and third in points per set (3.73). Emmarie McFarland received Defensive Player of the Week honors alongside Nzioki and ranks second in the conference with 4.87 digs per set. She leads the Demons with 258 digs on the season. Jade Longlad was tabbed Southland Setter of the Week this past week, as she leads the conference with 452 assists and ranks 12th in the country. 

MATCHUP HISTORY: Northwestern St. leads the all-time series 14-8 against UIW. The Cardinals have won the last five meetings, only dropping one set during that stretch and earning sweeps in four of the last five matches. \
 

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.