HOUSTON - Storming back from an early deficit, Lamar University's volleyball team showed true grit Saturday in its final match of the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup by forcing a fourth set against a one-loss Houston team. The Cards won the third set and were competitive in the fourth, but ultimately fell in the fourth to the host university.

Tomar Thomas continued her strong senior season with 14 kills, five digs, four block assists, and a service ace, representing 17 of LU's 57.5 total points. She was joined in the double-digit kill club by Ivette Dim, who recorded 10 kills and five block assists. The Cardinal future also shown bright on Saturday with Abigale Nash recording seven kills and six digs and Kyla Rogers totaling 22 assists and six digs.

Early struggles dogged the Cards through the first set, which Houston took 25-13. The second set was led by the Cougars the whole way, but Big Red showed some fight, staying within reach of UH until the set point, 25-17.

The Redbirds' character shown through in the third set; three ties took place before the Cards finally took hold of the lead for good and forced a fourth set with a 25-19 win. Four more ties and one lead change would take place in the fourth set, with LU as close as 18-16 late in the match, but the Cougs would eventually escape with a win, 25-18, in the pivotal set to take the match 3-1.

Lamar returns to action on Sept. 11 with Prairie View A&M. Originally scheduled to take place at Prairie View, circumstances have forced a relocation to McDonald Gym. The Cards will have one more non-conference tournament, the LMU/Long Beach State tourney, before opening conference play at Abilene Christian on Sept. 20.