BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University dropped a four-set decision to league-leading (and newly named) Houston Christian, 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-21), Thursday evening at McDonald Gym.
 
After a hot start to the night, the Cardinals finished with a .123 attack percentage (45-27-146), while it was the exact opposite for HCU. The Huskies recorded just .100 accuracy on their swings in the opening set but hit over .300 in the next two sets finishing the night 49-20-133 (.218).
 
The Cardinals took advantage of HCU reception errors as the Huskies finished the night with 10 but the majority of those came in the opening set.
 
Sophomore Paige Dugan was one of two Cardinals in double figures. She led the Cardinals with 15, while senior Kaitlyn Gil had 14. Sophomore setter London Hatch recorded 37 assists, dug 16 attacks and was a near perfect 3-of-5 (no errors) on swings.
 
Despite facing the Southland leaders, the Cardinals (6-9/0-4 SLC) came out fearless in the opening set and took it to HCU. The Cardinals jumped out to a 4-0 lead and never allowed their guest a significant run in the opening set. The Huskies closed to within one once but LU rattled off five-straight points and never looked back to hold on for the eight-point opening-set win.
 
The Cards hit nearly .300 in that set posting 13 kills on 27 attempts with five errors.
 
Unfortunately, that was as close as the Cardinals would get to victory as HCU rallied to take the final three sets in convincing fashion.
 
Thursday's disappointment must be set aside as the Cardinals will now turn around and get ready to face the Southland's other Cardinals – UIW. The match against San Antonio's Cardinals is slated for a 10 a.m. start from McDonald Gym.