BEAUMONT, Texas – The new look Lamar University Cardinal volleyball team will give fans a first look at the 2023 squad when they step on the court for their Red vs. Black scrimmage. The scrimmage will begin at 1 p.m. from McDonald Gym.
 
Entering his second season at the helm, head coach Brandon Crisp has completely rebuilt the roster with 11 new players. Among the Cardinals three returners from last year, only one – senior middle blocker Wiktoria Warpechowska – played during the 2022 season. The other two – Taisha Rhone (6-0, outside hitter) and Kaeden Robinson (5-4, libero) – utilized their redshirt.
 
Warpechowska was a standout for the Red and White last year as a newcomer to the program She ranked among the team leaders averaging 2.44 points per game (100.0 total) in 41 sets played. She averaged 1.8 kills and nearly a block per game with 28 digs on the season.
                                                 
The Cardinals 11 newcomers consist of eight prep standouts and three transfers. The list includes Monique Gonzalez (5-1, Fr., L), Emily Moon (6-2, Fr., OH), Christina Dauster (6-2, Fr., MB), Jo Moffitt (5-9, Fr., S), Gracie Cassidy (6-3, OH, Fr.), Jordan Gipson (5-10, Fr., OH), Jodie Edmonds (5-8, Fr., S), Lauren Tishkoff (6-2, Sr., OH), Freedom Stephenson (5-4, Jr., L), Lyric Jordan (6-2, Fr., OH) and Sydnee Griffen (6-0, Fr., OH). The Cardinals have been picked 10^th in the Southland Conference preseason poll due in large part to the overall number of newcomers to the 2023 roster.
 
The Cardinals open the 2023 regular season Friday Aug. 25^th at the Canes Classic in Miami, Fla. The tournament in Florida will have the Cardinals square off against Florida International and Maryland, and kick off an 11-match, four-tournament swing to open the year before returning home. The season-opening road stretch will have the Cardinals on the road through the start of Southland Conference play.