BEAUMONT, Texas – Competing in their first Southland Conference contest since the 2020 season (which was played in spring 2021 due to the COVID pandemic), Lamar University dropped a 3-1 (25-20, 12-25, 25-22, 25-21) decision to Northwestern State Thursday evening at McDonald Gym.
 
Led by 25 kills from sophomore Paige Dugan (.468 attack percentage), LU recorded a .203 attack percentage as a team following 54 kills on 143 attempts (with 25 errors). The Demons were just a tick better on the night finishing with 46 kills on 129 attempts with 18 miscues (.217).
 
Despite recording eight more kills than their opponents, LU was stung by miscues in other areas to make up the difference, including 10 service errors and four reception errors.
 
Joining Dugan in double-figure kills was senior Kaitlyn Gil (12 kills and 10 digs). Junior Wiktoria Warpechowska added nine kills (.319 attack percentage) and a team-high five blocks.
 
The Demons took the opening set in a highly contested battle. NSU managed to grab a slim lead late and hold on for the victory, but the Cardinals responded in a big way in the second. Big Red opened the second set on a 9-1 run and never looked back. After forcing Northwestern State to burn its two timeouts early, the Cardinals (6-6/0-1 SLC) stepped on the accelerator watching their lead balloon to 14-2 and never allowed their guest back within eight.
 
The Demons took the third set to build a 2-1 advantage and appeared to be cruising to a 3-1 victory after building a 22-10 lead in the fourth. With their backs against the wall, the Cardinals came out of a time out and nearly pulled off a stunning comeback rattling off nine-straight points (and 11-of-13) to trim a 12-point deficit down to just three late, 22-19. Unfortunately, the Cardinals ran out of steam as Northwestern held on to take the set and match.
 
LU will look to get back in the win column Saturday when the travel to Texas A&M-Commerce to take on the Lions. The match against Commerce will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.