THIBODAUX, La. – Lamar University got a career-high 27 kills from Taisha Rhone and 21 from freshman Lyric Jordan to defeat Nicholls, 3-2 (25-21, 26-28, 14-25, 25-21, 15-12) Saturday afternoon at Stopher Gym. The victory moves Lamar to 1-6 in Southland Conference play on the season.

The Cardinals posted a 63-25-175 (.217) effort on the attack with a 11 service aces and 22 blocks.

Big Red held Nicholls to a 60-28-190 (.168) effort as Gracie Campbell recorded a team-high 28 kills but she was the only Colonel in double-figures. The Colonels finished the day with seven aces and 18 blocks. Nichols was stung by errors throughout the match with 28 attack errors, two service errors, 11 receptions errors and one block error.

After surrendering the first two points of the match, the Cardinals scored 13 of the next 18 points to build a six-point advantage. Although Nicholls made a late surge, the Cardinals held on for a four-point victory.

Unfortunately, the momentum shifted in the second set as Nicholls rallied from a 21-18 second-set deficit to score 10 of the next 15 points to take the set. Nicholls surged out to a 2-1 lead before there was another momentum shift.

In the fourth set, the Cardinals took a late lead and never allowed Nicholls to tie the set up forcing a fifth. In the final set, Nicholls jumped out to a 4-0 lead only to see Lamar respond and take a 6-5 lead. The final set remained close until Big Red built a small advantage late and held on for the set and the match.

The Cardinals are back in action Thursday when they return home to host Southeastern Louisiana. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. from the McDonald Gym.

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