UE hosts Valparaiso and UIC
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With four weekends of non-conference play in the books, the University of Evansville volleyball team is set to open the Missouri Valley Conference schedule this weekend with home matches against Valparaiso and UIC. UE welcomes the Beacons for a 6 p.m. match on Friday before facing UIC at 5 p.m. Saturday; both matches inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse will be carried by ESPN+.
Last Time Out
– The non-conference portion of the schedule wrapped up last weekend with a trip across town to the USI Invitational
– Evansville dropped 5-set contests against USI and IU Indianapolis
– Giulia Cardona averaged an unbelievable 5.60 kills over the weekend while Ainoah Cruz chipped in an average of 3.90 digs
Aces Record
– Giulia Cardona’s record-breaking career continued with a big milestone last weekend
– With five service aces against IU Indy, Cardona has a total of 207 in her career and broke Kim Seib’s record of 205, which has stood since 1984
– Cardona recorded 56 kills in the last two matches and has a total of 1,867 in her career; she is quickly approaching Alondra Vazquez’ UE mark of 1,911
– The senior has assumed the NCAA lead in total kills (233), total points (273.0), total attacks (684) and attacks per set (14.55)
– Her season average of 5.81 kills per frame paces the MVC and ranks 3rd nationally
She’s Back
– Ainoah Cruz missed the first ten matches of the 2024 season but returned at the USI Invitational
– In two contests, she quickly regained her form, accumulating 3.90 digs per set
– Her top mark of 23 came in her season debut against USI; she added 16 vs. IU Indy
– As a freshman, Cruz paced the defense with her average of 4.49 digs per set and was 8th in the MVC with her average
Solid Weekend
– With 8 kills in both matches at the USI Invitational, Angelica Gonzalez put together her top performances since the season opener
– After opening the year with career highs in kills (13) and attempts (27) versus Akron, Gonzalez posted five or fewer kills over her next six contests
Scouting the Opposition
– MVC play opens on Friday against Valparaiso, who is 8-4 on the season and has won three of its last four contests
– Elise Swistek leads the Beacon offense with an average of 3.18 kills per set
– UIC starts the weekend with a record of 8-4 and have dropped three of their last four matches before defeating Milwaukee last weekend
– With 2.51 kills per game, Zahria Woodard leads the Flames offense
