MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In three back-and-forth sets, Lamar University volleyball fell in their final game of the Bluff City Showdown against Indiana State, 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-21). This snapped a five-game win streak for the Cardinals.
 
Lamar finished the match hitting 33-12-93 (.226) from the floor along with eight aces and eight blocks, but eight service and eight receiving errors would come back to bite them. Maja Malinowska led the team with 11 kills while Annie Cathey chipped in a career-high nine kills and three blocks. Alexa Gonzalez recorded a team-high five blocks while Keeley Nellis added 17 digs.
 
Indiana State ended the match with an attack rate of 28.2 percent (46-15-110). They also recorded eight aces to go with eight blocks.
 
The Sycamores took early control of the first set jumping out to a 12-5 lead. Lamar would tie things back up at 18, but Indiana State scored seven of the last nine points to take the opening frame.
 
The second set was a more back-and-forth affair with six ties and three lead changes. Late errors from the Cardinals, however, would end up costing them in a three-point defeat.
 
Both teams were tied at eight early in the third set before the Sycamores built an advantage and kept Big Red at arm's length the rest of the way.
 
The Cardinals return to McDonald Gym for their home opener on Tuesday at 6 p.m. as they host Prairie View A&M in the back leg of a home-and-home series. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.