SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Lamar University dropped a 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-15) decision at UIW Saturday afternoon, in a match that was a lot closer than the final score indicated. The first two sets came right down to the wire before the hometown Cardinals pulled out the win.
 
Lamar (1-24/1-13 Southland) finished the day with 43 kills (.216 attack percentage) but couldn't find an answer for UIW who posted a .296 effort on their swings, including a .394 attack percentage in the final set.
 
The Cardinal were led by two players in double figures. Taisha Rhone garnered team-high honors with 14 kills, while Lyric Jordan added 11. Senior Wiktoria Warpechowska just missed double figures with nine kills on 17 attempts (.471).
 
Lamar also finished the day with two service aces and 12 total blocks.
 
After trailing by two, 18-16, late in the first set Lamar scored six of the next eight points to build a two-point lead, 22-20. Unfortunately, LU could manage only one of the set's final six points as the bad guys rallied for the opening-set win.
 
It was a similar story in the second as Big Red trailed by just one point, 19-18, only to see UIW score five of the next eight points and then hold on for the win. UIW scored the first four points of the third set and never trailed in the third taking the 10-point victory.
 
The Cardinals return to action Thursday when they return home to host rival McNeese. The match against the Cowgirls will begin at 6 p.m. from McDonald Gym.