BEAUMONT, Texas – After a strong start to the season in non-conference play, the Lamar University volleyball team has found things a little more difficult at the start of the Southland Conference slate. The Cardinals (6-10/0-5 SLC) enter the week looking to put an end to a six-match slide which covers the start of league play.
 
Big Red will look to turn their fortunes around on the road when the travel to Louisiana for two matches beginning Thursday at Southeastern Louisiana. Despite the tough start to the league schedule, the Cardinals sit just one win back of eighth place, and just two wins back of seventh in the league standings with more than half of the conference schedule remaining.
 
The Cardinals open the week against Southeastern Louisiana who is currently third in the league standings. The Lions are 14-4 (.778) on the season, third overall in the standings (4-2) just a loss back of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series, 29-11 (.725) over Southeastern, including an 11-7 (.611) mark in Hammond. Unfortunately, the Lions have had the upper hand lately winning seven of the previous 12 outings. Thursday's contest is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. from the University Center.
 
Big Red will be in New Orleans two days later to face the Privateers for the third of what will be four times this season. The Cardinals have won both of the previous meetings outscoring UNO, 6-2, unfortunately both of those matches were considered non-conference. The next two meetings now take on more significance.
 
The Privateers are playing some of their best volleyball of the season winners of three of the past four and are currently tied for fourth in the SLC standings. Historically, the series against the Privateers has been in LU's favor. Big Red holds a 29-19 (.604) advantage in the all-time series but that swings in UNO's favor in New Orleans (2-7/.222). LU's two wins earlier this season put a stop to a three-match slide to the Privateers.
 
Saturday's match is set for a 1 p.m. start Saturday in New Orleans.