RUSTON, La. – Lamar University's game from the endline forced Southern out of system which led to a season-best -.047 opponents hitting percentage by the Jaguars in the volleyball team's 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-19) win at the Louisiana Tech Invitational on Friday.
 
Southern (0-7) had only 21 kills and amassed 25 errors in the match in 86 total attacks. On the flip side, the Cardinals (6-3) had a .253 attack percentage on 35 kills and 13 errors in 87 total attacks. The match also gave LU its second three-match win streak of the season.
 
"We knew that if we could be disciplined from the endline it would give them trouble, but that is somewhere we've struggled in matches this season," said head coach Alan Edwards. "We got better at it tonight. One of the struggles we had last year was getting a team out of system but then following and getting ourselves out of system."
 
In three sets, Southern only posted a positive hit percentage once, a .062 mark in the second. The first saw a match-low -.182 and the third was -.062.  LU used momentum from the first and second sets to get through the third. It hit .375 in both the first two, but .103 in the third.
 
"There were a couple of times that we lost focus and gave away a few points," said Edwards. "But the kids who started the match and the first set played very well and were extremely efficient."
 
Chelsea Grant led the way with 11 kills, her fourth double-digit tally, on 18 attacks and only two errors. She continued her strong defense with four total blocks, and on the endline she had two service aces.
 
"Chelsea played extremely well today," said Edwards. "She was hitting right around .800 midway through the second set."
 
Of the 19 players Lamar has on its roster, 15 saw action in the match.
 
"We were able get a lot of kids some playing time," said Edwards. "One big thing for us was we got to put Kelly Crow in at libero. Lauren Stahlman has been outstanding all season, but it's nice to see what some of the younger kids can do."
 
Crow had team-high seven of the Cards' 37 digs, and Stahlman had six. Amy Hollowell, who finished with five kills in the match, tied Crow for seven digs. Cortney Moore and Nicole Parish each had five kills and Carlyn Stella had four.
 
"Our lefts were very, very good for us today," said Edwards.
 
The last time the volleyball program had six wins through nine matches was in 2004. It will look to continue its three-match win streak going on Saturday when it takes on ULM at noon and host Louisiana Tech at 7 o'clock Saturday.
 
"My staff and I are going to watch film tonight to see where we are and to watch both teams tomorrow," said Edwards. "We know that they will both be big and physical and will also be good tests for us tomorrow."
 
The Cardinals will end their tournament season at home on Sept. 18 and 19 in the Cardinal Classic.