Box Score Sept. 27, 2014 Box Score | SHSU PICS 
BEAUMONT, Texas – Saturday’s win over Sam Houston State wasn’t just big for the Lamar University women’s volleyball team, it was huge.
The Lady Cardinals opened their Southland Conference schedule in heart-stopping fashion, rallying from two sets down to defeat the Bearkats 24-26, 21-25, 25-22, 25-17, 16-14 before a crowd of 457 at McDonald Gym.
“I’ve never seen a group grow up so quickly in one day,” Lamar coach Alan Edwards said. “I’ve never been prouder of a team.”
Chelsea Grant had a tremendous match for Lamar (1-12 overall, 1-0 Southland), finishing with 17 blocks (three solo, 14 assists) and nine kills.
“Chelsea did a tremendous job blocking,” Edwards said. “Our whole team did a great job in that aspect. I don’t remember seeing a team finish with 28 blocks in the rally-scoring era.”
Autumn Taylor had 17 kills for Lamar, while Cortney Moore added 15 kills. Kelsey Beard finished with 10 blocks, while Moore had eight.
The Lady Cardinals trailed 14-12 in the final set before running off four straight points to end the match on Taylor’s 17th kill, one that was set up by Megan Schwartz for her only assist of the match.
“We never gave up,” Edwards said. We beat a team that was picked to finish fourth in the conference. I’m not going to lie to you; I’m going to enjoy this one.”
Devene Wells-Gibson led the Bearkats (7-7, 0-1) with 23 kills.
The Lady Cardinals return to action Thursday, when they travel to archrival McNeese State at 7 p.m. Thursday.
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