BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University dropped a three-set match to rival McNeese Tuesday evening, 3-0 (25-20, 27-25, 25-21), with each set being completely different – in terms of runs and momentum – from the others.
 
The first set saw McNeese claim an early four-point lead and although LU rallied to tie the match midway through, the Cardinals could never quite get over the hump. In the second, LU scored the first four points, and held leads of 18-12 and 24-21 only to see the Cowgirls rally back for the win. In the third, it was McNeese that jumped out to a sizable lead only to have the Cardinals fight back late but fall short by four.
 
Big Red finished the night with a .111 attack percentage (37-24-117) led by sophomore Kaitlyn Gil's 11 kills and one service ace. Senior Kayla Neumann added nine kills and two blocks for the Red and White.
 
The Cowgirls were led by Regan Stiawalt's 14 kills on 32 swings (.281). McNeese also finished the night with nine blocks, including four solos.
 
The opening set saw McNeese lead by two, 21-19, before rattling off three straight points to get to set point. The Cardinals got a block Bre'Ala Box to stop the Cowgirls' run but was unable to follow that up with a run of their own.
 
Putting that match quickly behind them, LU scored the first four points of the second set and appeared in complete control though the first 30 points, leading by six, 18-12. The Cowgirls began to slowly chip away at the lead scoring five of the next seven points. After a Malaysia Murdock kill expanded the LU lead back to four, 21-17, it appeared the Cards were on their way to tying up the match.
 
After the Cardinals pushed their advantage to 23-19, McNeese scored five of the next six points to tie the set up at 24. LU reclaimed the lead momentarily before the Cowgirls scored the sets final three.
 
The second set loss carried over into the third as LU fell behind 8-1 to open the set. To Big Red's credit, they battled back to within four, 21-17. After a Kendall Glueck kill, LU got the serve back and scored consecutive points, but the two teams rotated scores the rest of the way as McNeese held on for the four-point victory.
 
The Cardinals will close out the home portion of their schedule Saturday with an 11 a.m. match. The regular-season home finale will begin at 11 a.m. from the Montagne Center. Prior to the match the Cardinals will recognize their senior class.