BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University stepped on the court twice Friday in the opening day of the Lamar Invitational – the second of two non-conference tournaments hosted by the Red and White – splitting decisions against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Little Rock. LU defeated UAPB, 3-1 (22-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16), but dropped a tough three-set match in the nightcap, 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-15) to Little Rock.
 
After a tough opening-set loss to the Lions, the Cardinals (3-6) battled right back with authority in the second set. After hitting less than .100 in the opener, the Cardinals came charging out of the gate in the second. Junior Kaitlyn Gil recorded four of her team-high 16 kills in the second set. The Port Neches native was 4-of-9, with just one error in the second set as the Cardinals finished the set with a .359 attack percentage (17-3-39).
 
While Pine Bluff continued to hit better as the match wore on, they couldn't keep with LU's torrid pace. The Lady Lions recorded their best performance of the day in the second set with a 14-7-39 (.179) effort, but Big Red never took its foot off the accelerator. The Cardinals hit .286 or better in the final three sets to pick up their third win of the season.
 
Junior Malaysia Murdock added 13 kills on 27 attempts (13-2-27/.407) to go along with five blocks and four digs.

LU struggled to find the same rhythm in the second match of the day. The first set was a back-and-forth tilt that saw the Cards take a 24-21 lead in the first set. Unfortunately, the Trojans rallied for five consecutive points for the opening set win. The Cardinals were unable to get on the scoreboard after that.
 
Big Red closes out the 2021 Lamar Invitational Saturday against Northwestern State. The match will begin at 1 p.m. from McDonald Gym.