Lamar knocks off Tulane to end losing streak

Sept. 17, 2011

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Lamar University played well in all phases of its match Saturday at Fogelman Arena, putting an end to its 12-match losing streak by knocking off host Tulane 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 25-13) in the Kathy Trosclair Memorial Volleyball Tournament.

The Lady Cardinals earned a much needed victory heading into Thursday's 7 p.m. Southland Conference opener against Southeastern Louisiana from McDonald Gym. Lamar's 12-match losing streak is the longest in school history, erasing the 10-match streak that LU set in 1982 and repeated in 1988.

Lamar finished the match with just three kills (49-46) less than Tulane, but enjoyed a 10-4 advantage in service aces, a 55-45 advantage in digs and a 9-4.5 advantage in total blocks. The Lady Cardinals also finished with a solid .266 attack percentage while limiting the Green Wave to a .180 percentage.

The Lady Cardinals jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the opening set. Tulane cut the deficit to two at 23-21 on a kill by Milica Jovic, but Lamar would not be denied. After a Tulane service error gave Lamar set point, junior setter Alex Morford put away a kill to close the set at 25-22.

Tulane (4-6) had its best showing in the second set to even the match at one win apiece with a 25-20 victory. However, Lamar would win the next two sets to close the match. LU picked up a comfortable 25-19 win in set three, and then rolled to a 25-13 win in the fourth set.

Lamar attacked at over a .300 percentage in all three of its victories, while Tulane didn't manage to hit the number once. The fourth set saw the Green Wave manage just five kills with six attack errors for a negative .032 attack percentage.

Sierra Whittaker finished with 12 kills and a .348 attack percentage, while junior middle blocker Wendy Krell had her best offensive effort of the season. Krell pounded down 10 kills with only one error and a sparkling .643 attack percentage.

Junior libero Angel Colyar led Lamar with 21 digs, while Morford played a solid all-around match with 37 assists, 14 digs and a career-high five service aces.

Jovic led all players with 14 kills, and Cori Martone added 13 kills for the Green Wave.

LAMAR

Print Friendly Version