BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's volleyball team opens a crucial two-match road swing with a contest at Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. Thursday as the Cardinals make a push to get back in the hunt for a Southland Conference Tournament berth. LU is at New Orleans at 2 p.m. Saturday.
 
The Cardinals (3-17 overall, 1-9 Southland) are in 12^th place, 3.5 games behind eighth-place Abilene Christian with six matches remaining. The Cardinals are on the road for five of those matches, including a match at Abilene Christian on Nov. 4.
 
Thursday's contest at Southeastern Louisiana could be just the tonic for the Cardinals, who defeated the Lady Lions in four sets at McDonald Gym on Oct. 10. The Lady Lions are 2-22 overall and 0-10 in conference play.
 
In LU's win over Southeastern Louisiana this season, the Cardinals bounced back after dropping the first set 25-13 to win the next three sets by scores of 25-22, 25-21 and 25-15. Tomar Thomas had 16 kills to pace the Cardinals.
 
"We knew we were better than we played in the first set, and we showed that over the next three sets," LU coach Alan Edwards said after the match.
 
Thomas leads the Cardinals with 182 kills this season, while Ivette Dim has 147 kills and a team-leading .278 hitting percentage. Murielle Hlavac leads LU with 182 digs.
 
On Saturday, LU looks to avenge a 3-2 loss to the Privateers at McDonald Gym on Oct. 17. In that match, LU was up 2-1 before the Privateers rallied to win the final two sets.
 
New Orleans (9-13, 3-7), which hosts Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, enters the week in ninth place.
 
Following this weekend's matches, the Cardinals play their home finale when they host Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 on Senior Night.
 
For tickets to the UIW match, 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 will be available at the McDonald Gym ticket window one hour prior to first serve. LU students are admitted for free with their Cardinal One card. Junior Cardinal Club members receive free admission when they present their membership badge.