Nov. 13, 2010

Box Score

NACOGDOCHES - Lamar University jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Saturday night at Stephen F. Austin, but could not maintain its momentum as the Ladyjacks won the next three sets to pick up a Southland Conference volleyball victory in the regular season finale for both schools.

The Lady Cardinals, who will enter the SLC Tournament as the No. 6 seed, fell to 12-15 on the year and 8-8 in conference play. Lamar finished the regular season tied with McNeese State, but won the tiebreaker for sixth place. The tournament is set to begin on Friday (Nov. 19) at Sam Houston State's Johnson Coliseum.

Lamar will face No. 3 Texas State on Friday with the game times still to be released. The Lady Cards defeated Texas State 3-2 on Sept. 30 in Beaumont in the only meeting between the two this year.

Lamar was able to control the SFA (12-19, 5-11) offense in the first two sets and won by scores of 25-18 and 25-22. Despite hitting just .113 over the first two sets, Lamar shot down SFA with solid blocking and passing.

After the intermission, SFA came out hitting on all cylinders and won three straight sets by scores of 25-19, 25-18 and 15-11. The Ladyjacks held Lamar to a paltry .012 hitting percentage over the final three sets to close its season with a win.

The final statistics did not tell the story as Lamar had just four less kills than SFA, while committing seven less service errors and picking up more blocks.

Sophomore setter Alex Morford played a solid match in the loss, finishing with four kills, a .571 attack percentage, 31 assists and 10 digs.

Outside hitter Cynthia McCollum led Lamar with 10 kills, but also committed seven attack errors. Middle blocker Jayme Bazile added 11 total blocks for the Lady Cardinals.

SFA got 12 kills and 12 digs from Kelsey Owens. Mary Caitlin Bottles added 10 kills and five blocks for the Ladyjacks. LAMAR