BEAUMONT, Texas – A short-handed Lamar University squad struggled to find its rhythm Saturday afternoon and New Orleans took full advantage posting a 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-23) victory at McDonald Gym. While the Cardinals were shutout, the first and third sets were extremely close and saw several missed opportunities for the Red and White down the stretch.
 
The Cardinals recorded 12 kills in the third set but struggle to get to double-figures in the first or second. Big Red finished the day 27-21-111 (.054) from the floor with eight service aces and 10 blocks. The Cardinals were led by 11 kills from Lyric Jordan.
 
New Orleans recorded one of their best days of the season posting a 45-18-116 (.233) effort offensively with six aces and four blocks. The Privateers were led by 16 kills from Ryan Williams and 15 from Karen Cordero Barr.
 
The first set saw neither team gain more than a three-point lead until late in the set when UNO took a four-point advantage. Despite the margin, Lamar fought back to pull within one, 23-22, before New Orleans took the set. The Privateers carried the momentum into the second taking an 11-point victory.
 
It appeared the Privateers were headed to another big win in the third after jumping out to a 6-2 lead, but LU came storming back. The Cardinals scored six of the next seven points to take a one-point lead. The set continued flip back and forth until the Cardinals grabbed a two-point lead, 17-15, following a Christina Dauster kill. Unfortunately, the Privateers responded by scoring seven of the next 11 points to reclaim the lead and held on for the victory.
 
The Cardinals will look to get in the win column Thursday when they travel to Lake Charles, La., to face rival McNeese. The match against the Cowgirls will kick off at 6:30 p.m.