Box Score Oct. 2, 2014 Box Score
LAKE CHARLES, La. - Over the course of its first two Southland Conference matches, the Lamar Lady Cardinals have made sure that the fans get their money's worth, playing all five sets. In the Southland Conference opener Lamar rallied from two sets down to pick up a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Sam Houston State. Thursday's match at McNeese State also went five set but saw Lamar fall, 3-2 (29-27, 20-25, 25-21, 18-25, 18-16).
Unlike Saturday's thriller that saw Lamar rally from two sets down, the Lady Cardinals (1-13/1-1 SLC) were caught in a back-n-fourth tug-of-war that saw McNeese State take a lead only to have LU come back and tie things in next set. The fifth set was no exception.
After falling behind by three points, 4-1, early in the set the Lady Cards rallied scoring seven of the next nine points to take a two point lead. Sophomore Autumn Taylor got five of her match-high 21 kills in the final set as the Lady Cardinals held a one-point advantage, 12-11, late in the contest but the slim margin would be LU's final lead of the night.
The final 11 points of the set reflected the tug-of-war battled that played out all night. The Cowgirls would take a one-point lead, only to see Lamar answer on the next serve. The final dagger came from an attack error to reach the final tally.
The end of the match saw 18 lead changes and 41 ties, as McNeese State (10-8/1-2 SLC) was able to pick up its first conference win of the season. The Lady Cardinals finished the night outhitting their hosts, but McNeese State's .146 attack percentage was just good enough for the victory.
In addition to Taylor's 21 kills (.327 attack percentage), junior Cortney Moore added 13 kills and four block assists for Lamar.
The Lady Cardinals return to action Saturday when they travel to Thibodaux, La. to take on Nicholls. The match against the Colonels is set to begin at 2 p.m. from Stopher Gym.
-LAMAR-
