BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University volleyball team will continue its season-opening 12-match road swing Friday when they travel to San Antonio, Texas to take part in the Roadrunner Classic. The four-team field will consist of three matches for each team over the course of the two days, and will include host-UTSA, LU, Tarleton State and Delaware.
 
While the Cardinals are looking to get in the win column after facing two tough opponents last week in Miami – Florida International and Maryland – Big Red saw some encouraging signs. After falling behind early in the opening sets of both matches the youthful Cards dug their heels in and battled right back making each set (in both matches) close. Against Maryland, the Cardinals held leads in both the second and third sets but couldn't find a way to close them out.
 
The Cardinals will open the Roadrunner Classic against tourney-host UTSA. The Roadrunners are looking to continue their hot start protecting a 3-0 record after winning the UTSA Invitational last weekend. Friday's match against their former Southland Conference foe is set for a 10 a.m. start and will give the winner the overall edge in the series (which is currently 24-24).
 
The second match of the day Friday will have the Cards face Tarleton State. Tarleton struggled in their season-opening home tournament posting a 1-3 record in the four matches. The Texans defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff but dropped matches to Prairie View A&M, Northern Arizona and Southland foe UIW. The match against Tarleton is set for a 4 p.m. start. Saturday will be just the third meeting between the two schools with LU looking for its first win in series history.
 
Big Red closes out the tournament with a noon match Saturday against Delaware. A member of the Colonial Athletic, the Blue Hens are also 3-0 on the year with wins over Loyola (Md.), Niagara and Robert Morris. Saturday marks the first meeting between the two programs on the court.