BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University faced Sam Houston Sunday afternoon – in a match that was originally scheduled for February but was postponed due to a winter storm – but it was a tough outing for the Cardinals. LU dropped a 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-21) decision to the Bearkats to fall to 1-10 overall and 1-5 in Southland Conference play.
 
Big Red held Sam Houston to a .177 attack percentage (46-21-141) but was unable to take advantage, as LU finished the day 38-17-126 (.167). The Bearkats (6-1/6-1 SLC) were able to find a small advantage off the serve finishing the day with seven service aces to no errors.
 
The Cardinals were led by junior Abigale Nash. The Tucson, Ariz., native finished the day with 10 kills and a near .300 attack percentage (10-2-27). She ended the match with a team-high 11 total points after assisting on two blocks. Senior Kayla Neumann added nine kills on 30 swings to go along with two block assists.
 
The Cardinals were led defensively by 21 digs from Sam Swayze and 13 from Hayleigh Moreno.
 
Big Red stood toe-to-toe with Sam Houston in the first set giving the 'Kats all they could handle. LU scored four of the first five points to take an early three-point lead. Sam Houston responded with a small 5-0 run to take their first lead of the match.
 
From that point on, the set was a back-and-forth affair that saw neither team gain more than a two-point lead until the Cardinals went on a 6-0 run late in the match to take 21-17 advantage. The two teams traded the next four points before SHSU responded with a 5-0 run to reclaim the lead. The Cardinals got a kill from Nash which followed a Sam Houston error to take a 25-24 lead. Unfortunately, the visitors from Huntsville took the final three points to claim the set.
 
The Red and White grabbed early leads in the other two sets but Sam Houston made late surges in both to get the win, including 14-3 run midway through the third to pull away.
 
The Cardinals have to quickly put the setback behind them as they get ready for Southeastern Louisiana Tuesday. LU will host the Lions beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday from the Montagne Center.