Box Score ATLANTA - Rallying to win the first set in extras and taking the third set after trailing early, Lamar University's volleyball team (0-1) ultimately ran out of gas Friday in its season opener, a five-set loss to Fordham University (1-0) at the GSU Invitational, hosted by Georgia State University. Abigale Nash had a double-double of 12 kills and 19 digs for the Cards.

"We had good moments but our discipline broke down and theirs didn't," said head coach Michelle Kuester. "We've addressed the few weaknesses that appeared in the match and we'll work to improve from this point forward."

Trailing 22-17 in the first set, a well-timed pause in the action by Kuester refocused the Cardinals. Big Red rallied with five consecutive points to tie the set at 22-22, and momentum stayed with the Cards the rest of the set. GSU forced set point four times but each time the Cards survived and ultimately prevailed, winning the set in extras at 32-30. Nash had five of her 12 kills in just the first set.

The Rams came out hot in the second set and kept the Cards at arms' length, winning the game 25-18. Fordham's rally continued in the third set with another early lead, but LU found another level late in the third, rallying to win 25-23 as Nash reached double-digit totals in kills and digs for the match.

Big Red kept pace for most of the fourth set but couldn't hold on, and Fordham forced a fifth set with a 25-19 win. Lamar stayed with the Rams early but eventually fell behind, and Fordham's disciplined approach won the day as the Rams took the final set 15-9.

Malaysia Murdock (12 kills) and Nina Pevic (11 kills) recorded double-digit kills on the day and Erin Pequeno was stellar on defense with 16 digs. Alyssa Legette and Annika Slovak split the setter role with over 20 assists apiece, and Legette also helped significantly on defense with 11 digs, giving her a double-double as well.

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday with two matches - aaginst GSU at 11 am and versus Western Carolina at 3 pm.

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