HOUSTON - Fighting back from an early deficit, Lamar University (8-12, 3-7 SLC) came up just short at Houston Baptist University (13-12, 5-5 SLC) on Saturday.

Dannisha House led the attack for the Cardinals with 11 kills, and her defensive prowess was also on display with four blocks. Annika Slovak had 28 assists, and Erin Pequeno had 14 digs.

Abigale Nash opened the match was an ace, but HBU responded quickly, taking the next five points. Lamar clawed back within two, 9-7, but a 7-1 run by the Huskies put the set out of reach at 16-8. Big Red matched HBU point for point the rest of the game, but couldn't close the gap. HBU won the set 25-13.

Lamar led through the first 17 points of the second set but Cardinal attack errors and Husky kills allowed HBU to cut down the lead. The Huskies tied the game at 9-9 and took their first lead of the game a point later. The Cards would come close to wresting control from HBU several times, but Houston Baptist never trailed again and won the set 25-20.

The opening points again went Lamar's way to open the final stanza with Big Red leading by as much as five points. HBU stuck around throughout the game though and remained within striking distance, tying the set several times and even taking a brief three-point lead at 16-13. Kills by Kaitlyn Gil and House and an ace by McKenzie Bennett put the Cards back in front, and it appeared Lamar would hang on to force a fourth set with a 23-21 lead over HBU. A 4-0 run by Houston Baptist ended the set with HBU winning 25-21, taking the set in three sets.

Up Next

Following this weekend's match up against the Huskies, the Cards will return home to host UIW on Halloween. A three-game home stand will open November with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, New Orleans, and Southeastern Louisiana coming to town. Road matches at Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian will close out the regular season.
 
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