SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Lamar University got out to a slow start Saturday in their final match of the Roadrunner Classic and Delaware took full advantage of the opportunity posting a 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-20) decision.
 
After dropping a 25-10 decision in the second set, Big Red fought back in the third and took a late lead only to watch the Blue Hens score seven of the match's final eight points for the win.
 
The Cardinals (0-5) struggled offensively posting a 24-16-86 (.093) effort from the floor. Defensively, the Cardinals recorded 36 digs and three blocks. Delaware was 39-13-95 (.274) on the attack with nine service aces and six blocks.
 
Senior Wiktoria Warpechowska led LU with six kills (.333 attack percentage) while freshman Gracie Cassidy put five balls away on 13 swings. She was also one of two Cardinals with two blocks on the day.
 
The Cardinals struggled out of the gate in the opening set falling behind 11-1. Lamar was unable to recover in the first posting a .129 (10-6-31) attack percentage, despite four kills (.500 attack percentage) from Cassidy.
 
It was a similar story in the second as the Blue Hens took a 7-2 advantage and never relinquished the lead, pushing it to as many as 12. Delaware took full advantage of the Cardinals' struggles offensively. As the Cardinals saw their swing percentage fall to .056, the Blue Hens caught fire posting a 24-5-54 (.352) from the floor.
 
After Delaware took an early four-point lead in the third set, the Cardinals responded. Big Red rattled off a 6-2 run to tie the set at 10 behind some good defense, and kills from Wiktoria Warpechowska and Taisha Rhone. The set remained close throughout with the Cardinals managing a one-point lead, 19-18, following a Blue Hen error. Delaware responded by scoring the next four points to take a three-point lead. Unfortunately, the Cardinals would only break through for one point in the final eight serves.
 
The Cardinals return to action Friday, Sept. 8, when they travel to Ruston, La., to compete in the Lady Techster Invitational. Lamar will open the tournament against Grambling State.