NATCHITOCHES, La. – It is becoming an all too familiar scene for the Lamar University volleyball team take a lead only to see the opponent rally late for a win. The Cardinals took a 2-1 sets lead Thursday at Prather Coliseum, only to see Northwestern State rally for the victory. The Demons won the match, 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 15-11).
 
The Cardinals carried the fight to Northwestern State from the jump. Big Red opened the match recording 16 kills on 42 swings (.286 attack percentage) to the first match. The Cardinals also recorded two aces and recorded a block in that opening set.
 
The opening set attack percentage would not by the high-water mark for the Cardinals, as LU recorded 15 kills on 36 attempts (with just four errors) in the third, to go along with five blocks to take a 2-1 lead. Big Red recorded 16 kills in the fourth but came up just short to Northwestern State who tied the match at 2.
 
In the fifth set, the Demons jumped out to a 9-4 lead, and while Lamar came storming back to within three, 14-11, the Demons managed to close things out to hold off the Cardinals.
 
The Cardinals ended the night with two players reaching the 20-kill plateau – Taisha Rhone led the way with 24 kills (and 13 digs), while Lyric Jordan added 21 kills (and 11 digs).
 
Teresa Garza recorded a team-high 19 kills to lead a Northwestern State squad that hit .214 (64-23-192) on the night.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they return home to host New Orleans. The match against the Privateers will begin at 1 p.m. from McDonald Gym.