BEAUMONT, Texas – With a new coach at the helm, Lamar University volleyball gears up for a new season as they travel to Virginia for a season-opening tournament this weekend. They start off with a Friday doubleheader against Miami (OH) (11:30 a.m.) and hosts Norfolk State (5 p.m.) before finishing up Saturday morning versus Gardner-Webb (9 a.m.).
 
KEY STORYLINES
Head coach Ariel Apolinario arrives in Beaumont after four seasons at Navarro College where he built the Bulldogs into an NJCAA power. During his stay in Corsicana, the Bulldogs compiled a 99-31 (.762) overall record, two NJCAA National Championship tournaments, a Final Four appearance and a Region XIV Regular Season Title. 
 
Apolinario inherits a youthful Cardinal squad featuring eight sophomores and eight freshmen as he looks to build up the program. Ten players return from last year eager to be a part of a new trajectory for the team this season.
 
The Cardinals will welcome two new teams to their conference slate with Stephen F. Austin and UT Rio Grande Valley joining the Southland this season. Despite these two additions, the amount of conference games for Big Red will decrease from 18 to 16.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Preseason All-SLC Second Team member Lyric Jordan will anchor Big Red's attacking efforts as she enters her sophomore campaign. She led the team in kills (268) and points (304.5) last season which were the most by a Lamar freshman since Cortney Moore and Autumn Taylor in 2014.
 
Graduate student Lauren Tishkoff, who missed last season due to injury, impressed in last Saturday's exhibition match against Texas State leading the team with eight kills in her three sets of action. Tishkoff previously played under Apolinario at Navarro in 2021 where she was an honorable mention all-conference selection for Region XIV.
 
The Cardinals will look for answers at libero and setter with a balance of experience and youth expected to factor in early. Monique Gonzalez along with newcomers Keeley Nellis and Addison Stanley each started sets at libero at Texas State while Jo Moffitt split time with Alexa Gonzalez at setter.
 
OPPONENT INFO: Miami (OH)
Time: Friday at 11:30 a.m.
Series Record: First Meeting
 
The RedHawks enter the 2024 season picked tenth in the MAC preseason poll after a 5-25 record last year. Miami (OH) does return eight of their top nine players in terms of kills led by Ellie Hanson and Chelsea Williams.
 
OPPONENT INFO: Norfolk State
Time: Friday at 5 p.m.
Series Record: First Meeting
 
After a 9-14 campaign last season, the Spartans were picked to finish fifth in the MEAC preseason poll. They return 2023 MEAC Rookie of the Year Gabrielle Gilbert who also was chosen for the preseason All-MEAC team this season.
 
OPPONENT INFO: Gardner-Webb
Time: Saturday at 9 a.m.
Series Record: First Meeting
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs boasted the best record last year of Big Red's opponents this weekend with a 14-13 mark which was good for the program's best Division I season finish. They are projected seventh in the Big South preseason poll as only six players return from last season's team.