NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State heads into Saturday's 2 o'clock match against Incarnate Word at Prather Coliseum after making an appearance at or near the top in the country in several statistical categories both offensively and defensively.
NSU ranks first nationally in digs per set (19.20) and second in team attacks per set with 40.35 trailing only Southland Conference competitor Nicholls. The Lady Demons also rank first in team aces during a three-set match (17 vs. Mississippi Valley State), second in team digs in a five-set match (150 at Mississippi State) and both second and third in team attacks during a five-set match (252 at Mississippi State; 232 vs. Jacksonville State).
NSU (5-11, 2-1 SLC) is coming off a 3-2 win over Abilene Christian on Thursday night in which the squad was put to the test after the Wildcats won two consecutive sets to force a decisive fifth set before NSU closed it out.
Incarnate Word (5-11, 1-2 SLC) enters weekend play looking to rebound after being swept on the road at the hands of Stephen F. Austin. The Cardinals lone Southland Conference win came in similar fashion as NSU's Thursday match as Incarnate Word took down Abilene Christian in five sets.
"They're a tough, scrappy team," fifth-year head coach
Hugh Hernesman said. "They run a real nice offense and have good right side attackers. They're a very balanced team that plays really hard. We played them last year at their place and beat them in five but it was a dog fight and I expect the same thing Saturday."
The Cardinals are led offensively by junior outside hitter Angelique Vidaurri who has started in all 16 of the squad's matches, tallying 164 kills for a 2.93 per set average along the way. Sophomore outside hitter Shaina Garza ranks second with 127 kills with 2.35 per set and junior setter Kaitlyn Brooks has contributed 315 assists on the season.
NSU counters with a strong defensive presence led by junior middle blocker
Glynna Johnson who ranks 45
th nationally with 1.27 blocks per set as of the latest NCAA rankings. As a team, NSU has allowed a league low .147 opponent hitting percentage while tallying a Southland high 2.38 blocks per set.
"We've got to make sure that we come in and have a good ball control game," Hernesman said. "I think that's most important. We'll see what our block size does to them but they don't seem to be too concerned with things like that when they play other schools."
Saturday's matchup will mark the second match all-time between the two programs and will be the first-ever visit by the Cardinals to Prather Coliseum. It will also be fan appreciation day for Northwestern State with the first 100 fans receiving a free NSU koozie.
