BEAUMONT, Texas - Despite the match being decided in three sets, Lamar University (8-15, 3-10 SLC) kept it close in the final two games Tuesday against the University of New Orleans (12-15, 5-8 SLC). The Cards were within striking distance in every set but ultimately fell in three sets to the Privateers.

Kayla Neumann and Abigale Nash each had nine kills for the Cards and Dannisha House poured in another seven. Annika Slovak did double duty for LU with 31 assists and the most digs on the night with 14, her third consecutive match with a double-double. Erin Pequeno had 10 digs, and Nash, McKenzie Bennett, and Dylann Guerra each had eight digs.

Lamar kept it close through the first 18 points of the match, trailing by just two at 10-8, but a 7-0 run by the Privateers fueled UNO to a set victory. The Cards couldn't close the gap to less than seven the rest of the way and dropped the first game 25-16.

An energized Cardinal club came out of the first break with a 6-0 run, building a comfortable margin. The Privateers chipped away a bit, but LU was still relatively comfortable 19 points later when Big Red led 16-9. But New Orleans refused to give up and started trading three points for every Cardinal point, and eventually trailed by just two, 18-16. Lamar snapped the UNO streak with a 2-0 run and led 20-16, but a quick sub pushed momentum back UNO's way. The Privateers tied the match at 20-20, again at 21-21, and took their first lead of the set at 23-22. A Malaysia Murdock kill tied the game back at 23-23, but New Orleans took the final two points to win 25-23.

A 9-3 run for New Orleans to open the set made a hard hill to climb for the Cards in the third frame. UNO errors and kills by House and Nash eventually pulled Lamar back within one point at 11-10, but UNO answered that run with a 4-0 streak of its own and led 15-10 before LU could answer. Lamar would again cut the lead down to two points at 16-14, and came within one point of New Orleans a few volleys later at 18-17 and again at 19-18. Unfortunately New Orleans had just a bit too much left in the tank and won six of the final seven points to take the game 25-19 and the match 3-0.

The final Lamar volleyball home game of 2019 takes place on Saturday, November 9, at 1 p.m. The Cardinals will honor their three seniors - Nina Pevic, Erin Pequeno, and Dannisha House - that afternoon in a pre-game ceremony. The regular season will draw to a close on the road at Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 14 and at Abilene Christian on Nov. 16.