BEAUMONT, Texas – It seems fitting that the home slate for the Lamar University volleyball team comes to an end as the campus celebrates Homecoming in its centennial year. They host McNeese (Thursday) and Nicholls (Saturday) as the season starts to wind down.
 
The season hasn't gone as planned for the youthful Cardinals (1-24/1-13 SLC) who boast a roster featuring 11 freshmen players, but the team looks to finish the season strong as they sit within striking distance of a trip to the conference tournament.
 
Lamar is currently tied for ninth in the standings with Nicholls and sit two wins back of New Orleans. The Cardinals appear to need to win three of their remaining four matches – which includes matchups against Nicholls and New Orleans – in order to secure the eighth seed.
 
McNeese currently sits as the third seed in the conference with a two-game cushion on both sides of them. The Cowgirls (13-14/11-3 SLC) were victorious in the earlier matchup between the two teams this season.
 
Lamar boasts a lead in the all-time series with McNeese, 46-34, but is looking for its first win at home against the Cowgirls since 2015.
 
Saturday sees the Cardinals host Nicholls, who they beat earlier this season in a five-set thriller. Nicholls is looking to end the season on a high note after losing its last four conference matches entering the week.
 
The all-time series is in favor of the Cardinals, 31-14, including a 16-6 mark at McDonald Gym. Lamar looks to further this mark on Homecoming weekend in what will serve as the final home game of their season.
 
Thursday's match against McNeese will start at 6 p.m. while Saturday's contest against Nicholls will begin at 11 a.m. Both will take place at McDonald Gym with all matches being streamed on ESPN+.