BEAUMONT, Texas – Riding their first three-game win streak in two years, Lamar University volleyball continues nonconference play as they head to the Memphis, Tenn. for the Bluff City Showdown this weekend. The Cardinals play a Friday doubleheader against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 11 a.m. and tournament hosts Memphis at 7 p.m. before finishing out with Indiana State on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Big Red enjoyed a 3-0 week starting with a road sweep at Prairie View A&M on Tuesday. The team then picked up a pair of wins in the Colonel Classic in Thibodaux, La. on Friday with 3-1 victories against Grambling and Nicholls.
 
KEY STORYLINES
Ariel Apolinario picked up his first three victories at the NCAA level including his 100^th career win as a head coach this past week. The Cardinals have eclipsed their win total from last season under his watch and hope to carry momentum into conference play.
 
Last season, Lamar ranked ninth in the Southland in points/set (13.62) and digs/set (13.91) while finishing last in kills/set (10.50). Early returns have seen the Cardinals improve in all three stats with the team ranking in the top three of the conference in each category.
 
Service and reception are two areas Big Red will hope to clean up before they head to conference play. Their win over Grambling was nearly hindered by 16 service errors and 14 reception errors.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lyric Jordan has gotten off to a flying start through six matches ranking second in the Southland in kills/set (4.43). The preseason All-SLC second team member's hitting percentage has also increased from .149 through six matches last season to .270 to start this year.
 
Through six games, Keeley Nellis appears to have locked down the libero role and has done so effectively leading the team in total digs (94) while ranking second in the Southland in kills/set (4.48). She leads the Southland in aces/set (0.67) buoyed by her nine aces against Nicholls on Friday, the most by a Lamar player since Jaime Ewing in 1995.
 
The setter position has also seen a prime candidate emerge in Alexa Gonzalez who is one of three Cardinals, including Jordan and Nellis, to play every set this year. She leads the Southland in assists/set (10.10) and is yet to commit a reception error through six games.
 
OPPONENT INFO: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-7)
Time: Friday at 11 a.m.
Series Record: LU 1-0
Last Meeting: LU 3-1 (9/10/21)
 
The Golden Lions finished 6-25 last season and were selected tenth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason poll. They feature Zykia Jones, a preseason All-SWAC second team selection, and Laila Fortson, who leads the SWAC in blocks/set (1.38).
 
OPPONENT INFO: Memphis (3-3)
Time: Friday at 7 p.m.
Series Record: First Meeting
 
The Tigers were slated to finish ninth in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll after an 11-20 campaign last year. Jordan Heatherly has impressed for Memphis early ranking second in the AAC in aces/game (0.62) while Hannah Jones serves as the team's kills leader with 56.
 
OPPONENT INFO: Indiana State (1-4)
Time: Saturday at 11 a.m.
Series Record: First Meeting
 
After a 5-23 finish last year, the Sycamores were picked 12^th in the Missouri Valley Conference for this season. A season-opening win over Georgia State has been followed by a four-game losing streak. The Sycamores currently lead the MVC in aces/set (2.11) with Ella Scott ranking second individually (0.53).