HOUSTON, Texas – It was a tough opening day at the HBU Invitational for the Lamar University Cardinals. Big Red opened against the tournament host dropping a 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-18) decision at Husky Gym.
 
The Cardinals struggled to a .103 (30-18-116) attack percentage Friday night with their most productive set coming in the second. While the Cardinals got out to a slow start, the host Huskies took advantage in the first set hitting .452 posting 15 kills to just one error on 31 attempts. HBU finished the night hitting .294.
 
Junior Kaitlyn Gil and freshman Paige Duggan paced Big Red with eight kills each.
 
After a nine-point setback in the opening set, the Cardinals came out of the huddle with more fight in the second. Finding themselves down by three late in the set, LU rattled off three-straight points to pull even at 23. Unfortunately, that would be as close as LU would get in the second as Houston Baptist scored the final two points to take a 2-0 lead. The third set saw LU fall behind by six late as HBU held on for clinching victory.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday with two matches beginning with Prairie View A&M at 10 a.m. and Louisiana Tech at 4:30 p.m.