SAN ANTONIO – The Lamar University Cardinals couldn't take advantage of a chance to move up in the race for a Southland Conference Women's Volleyball Tournament berth as they dropped a 3-0 decision to host Incarnate Word on Saturday morning.
 
LU (3-14 overall, 1-6 Southland) entered the day tied for ninth, just one game behind Abilene Christian for the eighth, and final, spot in next month's tournament. A win would have put LU into a tie with Abilene Christian, which fell to 2-5 with a loss to Houston Baptist. Instead, Incarnate Word (4-12, 3-6) moved into eighth place, while the Cardinals dropped to 11^th place, behind Abilene Christian (6-13, 2-5) and New Orleans (7-11, 1-5). The Cardinals have nine games remaining on the schedule.
 
"We have a number of matches coming up that we just have to win," said LU coach Alan Edwards, whose Cardinals open a three-match homestand at 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. New Orleans. "We have to take advantage of being at home."
 
Tomar Thomas had 10 kills to lead LU on Saturday, but the Cardinals had a hitting percentage of .122 as UIW won by scores of 25-17, 25-20, 25-21. Ivette Dim had nine kills and a .353 hitting percentage for LU.
 
Murielle Hlavac, Kaitlyn Nutt and Amy Hollowell all had 10 digs for LU.
 
Incarnate Word received 11 kills from Julia Monday, while Hope Kelly had nine kills and a .471 hitting percentage. As a team, UIW hit .216 on the day. Madelyn Miller added a match-high 17 digs for UIW.
 
Now the Cardinals need to use the home-court advantage that McDonald Gym provides during the upcoming homestand. In addition to Tuesday's match vs. New Orleans, the Cardinals host Nicholls (3-19, 1-8) at 7 p.m. Thursday and archrival McNeese (13-10, 5-4) at 1 p.m. Oct. 21.
 
"I love playing in McDonald Gym," Edwards said. "It can be intimidating for opponents. Our fans are very loud and supportive."
 
Tuesday is Pack McDonald Gym Night, as the Cardinals hope to fill every seat to maximize the homecourt advantage. One lucky fan will win an I-watch. Thursday is Dig Pink Night, with Zeta Tau Alpha members selling pink baked goods and ribbons to raise awareness for breast-cancer research and detection. The McNeese match is Camper Reunion Day, with all youth who attend the LU Volleyball Camp this past summer receiving free admission when they wear their camp T-shirt. In addition, the 2007 Southland Conference champion LU volleyball team will be honored. There will also be a postgame autograph session with members of this season's LU volleyball team.
 
TICKETS: For tickets to all LU home matches, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. Tickets are available at the Montagne Center ticket office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Tickets are available at the McDonald Gym ticket window one hour prior to first serve. All LU students are admitted for free with their Cardinal One card. Junior Cardinal Club members get in for free when they present their membership card at the McDonald Gym ticket window.