BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals look for their first Southland Conference win of the season as they travel down I-10 to face Houston Baptist in women's volleyball action at 7 p.m. Thursday in HBU's Sharp Gymnasium.
 
The Cardinals (2-10 overall, 0-2 Southland) have been idle since dropping a three-set match to visiting Central Arkansas on Saturday.
 
"I thought we turned a corner in that match even though we lost," LU coach Alan Edwards said of the contest vs. Central Arkansas. "If we played like that in Thursday's loss to Northwestern State, we would have won. I like where we are. We continue to get better."
 
Edwards said the Cardinals have made great strides in reducing the number of unforced errors per set. Now, Edwards wants the team to create more opportunities and to capitalize on those opportunities.
 
"We've been working hard to become a team that doesn't give away more than eight points a set," Edwards said. "Now we have to find a way to earn more points. That's something the good teams know how to do."
 
Edwards was enthusiastic about the recent play of Tomar Thomas and Dannisha House, who have been LU's top players at the net. Thomas averages a team-best 3.16 kills per set, while House has 1.79 kills and 0.73 blocks per set.
 
"Tomar and Dannisha are special athletes who will continue to get better," Edwards said. "They want to win and they're helping change the culture here."
 
Edwards believes the Cardinals match up well with Houston Baptist (10-5, 2-1).
 
"We enjoy playing HBU," Edwards said. "We build our teams to play the same style of game. It always is competitive. Last season, we beat them in five sets both times."
 
Bailey Banks leads the Huskies with an average of 3.49 kills per set. Jessica Wooten averages 2.91 kills and 3.49 digs per set.
 
Edwards knows a win over the Huskies on Thursday would be a big boost for the Cardinals.
 
"There's light at the end of the tunnel," he said. "We now have a stretch of matches where we have to be good and get some wins."
 
Following Thursday's match, the Cardinals are idle until 1 p.m. Oct. 7, when they host Stephen F. Austin to open a two-match homestand. Southeastern Louisiana comes to McDonald Gym at 7 p.m. Oct. 10.
 
For ticket information, 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 may be purchased at McDonald Gym one hour prior to first serve. LU students receive free admission with their Cardinal One card, while Junior Cardinal Club members receive free admission with their membership badge.