BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's volleyball team will play its first match in almost two weeks when it faces host Texas Tech at noon Friday at the Red Raider Classic.
 
The Cardinals (1-2) have been idle since Aug. 26 when they split a pair of matches at the Big Orange Bash hosted by Clemson University. The team remained stranded on the road until Monday because of Hurricane Harvey. The hurricane prompted the cancellation of last weekend's Cardinal Classic, which LU was slated to host at McDonald Gym. The Cardinals remained at Clemson for a few days before heading to Arlington, Texas, where they were able to practice at UT Arlington.
 
"You don't know how to plan for being on the road for such an extended period. Everything feels like it is the spur of the moment," LU coach Alan Edwards said. "This team has gotten closer through the whole thing."
 
Edwards was quick to praise the athletic departments at Clemson and UTA for their efforts to make the Cardinals feel at home while away from home.
 
"Both places were unbelievably generous," Edwards said. "They went above and beyond what we expected."
 
LU plays two matches on Friday. After the noon match with Texas Tech (5-1), the Cardinals square off against UTRGV (2-5) at 4 p.m. On Saturday, LU meets UC Riverside (5-1) at 11 a.m.
 
"We'll watch video of our opponents over the next few days," Edwards said. "We know we are going to face some tough competition."
 
Murielle Hlavac leads the Cardinals with 38 kills and a .380 attack percentage. Hlavac has 29 digs, second to Zahria Scott's 34 digs. Haley Morton has a team-best 64 assists, while Ivette Dim leads LU with 13 blocks.
 
Following this weekend's tournament, the Cardinals will compete in the UTA Invitational on Sept. 15-16 in Arlington, Texas, before hosting Prairie View A&M in the home opener at 7 p.m. Sept. 19 in McDonald Gym.
 
For ticket information for all LU home matches, call 409-880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com.