BEAUMONT, Texas – For decades, the matchup between Lamar University and McNeese – in any sport – was a conference rivalry that in a number of cases would determine the league championship. Due to LU's January announcement that they were leaving the Southland for the Western Athletic Conference, the rivalry still exists but now as a non-conference contest. The volleyball Cardinals will be the first of Big Red's teams to square off against the school on the other side of the Texas-Louisiana border when they travel into enemy territory Tuesday to take on McNeese at 6:30 p.m.
 
The Cardinals enter the showdown after a bittersweet open to the season. LU posted a 1-2 (.333) record in their home-opening tournament (Katrinka Crawford Invitational) this past weekend. The Cardinals opened with an impressive 3-0 victory over Prairie View A&M – the 2020 SWAC runner ups – only to suffer a 3-1 setback to Oral Roberts and a 3-2 loss to Louisiana-Monroe. In both losses, the Cardinals gave themselves a chance to win but didn't take full advantage of all their opportunities.
 
Junior Malaysia Murdock was named to Katrinka Crawford All-Tournament team after averaging 2.50 kills per set while hitting .384. She was also a force at the net defensively leading the team with eight blocks (three solo).
 
On the flip side of the net, the Cowgirls enter the week with a 2-1 (.667) record after an impressive showing at the North Texas Invitational in the opening week of the season. McNeese dropped homestanding UNT, 3-2, in the opener and then turned right back around to knockoff Grambling, 3-0. The Cowgirls' lone loss in the tournament was a 3-0 setback to South Dakota State.
 
Tuesday's matchup is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. from the McNeese Rec Complex and will be the first of four matches for the Cardinals away from Beaumont. The Cardinals will be in Houston Saturday to compete in the HBU Invitational. The two-day four-team tournament will consist of Houston Baptist, Prairie View A&M and Louisiana Tech.