JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Tomar Thomas had 29 total kills and a double-double and Abigale Nash racked up double-digit digs in both matches, but Lamar University came up just short in both of its opening day matches Friday at the Jax State Invitational. The Cards fell 3-1 to Mercer and in straight sets to tournament host Jacksonville State.
 
"Overall, I'm pleased with our willingness to compete and fight through the early struggles," said head coach Michelle Kuester on her first two matches at the helm of Big Red volleyball. "We did a good job of making adjustments and following the game plan we set in the first match, and in the second match we were much improved in the serve receive than in the morning, but we struggled with the big block that JSU put up. As a team we need to improve on staying mentally dialed into the match at all times and not getting lax with our discipline."
 
The Cards led at least a portion of each set, but big runs by Mercer were too much for Big Red to overcome in the first (25-18) and second (25-22) sets. Trailing 10-9 in the third, Lamar scored six consecutive points on kills by Thomas, an ace from Bre'Ala Box, and by capitalizing on mental errors by the Bears. Mercer pulled back within one point, 17-16, but three straight aces from Thomas and a kill from Kinsy Haschke put the set out of reach. An ace from Zahria Scott on game point gave Lamar the set, 25-17. LU led by as much as seven points in the fourth and final set before Mercer went on a 12-4 run to take the lead, 15-14. The two teams would trade momentum for the rest of the pivotal set, and Lamar twice managed to stave off elimination by tying the game on match point. But consecutive ball-handling errors allowed Mercer to escape with a victory, 27-25, in the fourth set and 3-1 in the match.
 
Thomas paced Lamar offensively the entire day, nabbing her first double-double on the year with 20 kills and 14 digs in the first match. She also had four service aces, three of which came in the third set that LU captured from Mercer. Nash impressed with seven kills and 12 digs, and Kyla Rogers (13) and Alyssa Legette (11) each had double-digit assists.
 
The Red Birds kept it close in both the first and third sets of the nightcap game, but ultimately Jacksonville State was able to hold Lamar at arms' reach in a three-set win (25-23, 25-15, 25-21). Thomas again led in the kills department with nine, and Rogers asserted herself in the setter role with 17 assists. Nash totaled 10 digs for a total of 22 in her first two collegiate matches, and Ivette Dim also had a solid performance with eight kills and three solo blocks.
 
Lamar returns to action Saturday at 9 a.m. with its final match of the Jax State Invite. The Cards will face former Sun Belt opponent Arkansas-Little Rock and then return home after the match concludes. LU's home opener will take place August 30 – September 1 in the Cardinal Classic, a tournament featuring Texas Southern, Southern University, and Howard.