CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – After an 11-match road stretch which included four tough non-conference tournaments, the Lamar University volleyball team sets its sights on the Southland Conference. Big Red opens league play Thursday at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
For the Cardinals, the start of league play represents a new season as the Red and White look to right the ship from an 0-11 start, while Texas A&M-Corpus Christi looks to build upon 13-5 season last year that saw the Islanders finish just one win off the pace for a regular-season title. The Islanders are currently 5-7 on the year. Despite the fact several schools have already opened league play, Thursday's match will serve as the league opener for both.
 
The Cardinals will then return home to host Texas A&M-Commerce for the 2023 home opener. McDonald Gym will almost seem foreign to the Cardinals who have played their first 12 matches away from Beaumont, and have traveled from Miami, Fla., to Las Vegas, Nev., during the non-conference portion of their 2023 schedule.
 
The Lions, who opened conference play earlier this month with a 3-0 setback against McNeese, are 4-10 on the season and have dropped three straight since recording back-to-back wins over Alabama and UAB to close the Blazer Classic.
 
The two schools have met twice all-time with both meetings coming last season. The two teams split the matches with each team winning on its home floor.
 
Saturday's match will kick off at 11 a.m. from McDonald Gym and will be streamed live on ESPN+.