BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University volleyball won its fifth straight match as it defeated Houston Christian in four sets, 16-25, 25-23, 25-14, 28-26, Saturday afternoon at McDonald Gym.

The Cardinals have won their last five matches in four sets. This marks LU's first win over the Huskies since Nov. 1, 2016.

"We are still growing and learning. However, I thought it was a good week for our program," said head coach Ariel Apolinario. "This week was a a big step in the right direction. We played two well coached teams. We felt there was a window of opportunity. For the most part, I think we capitalized.

"Understanding where we have been as a program, where we are and where we want to go is necessary in order for us to continue this long journey."

To open the first set, LU led by one point until HCU went off on an 11-0 run to flip the script and take a 10-point lead.

The Huskies remained in control for the rest of set as they outscored the Cardinals 4-1 down the stretch to win by nine.

LU flipped the switch in the second set taking a 5-3 lead after going on a 3-0 run which featured a kill and a service ace from Kinley Elms.

Taisha Rhone served back-to-back service aces to spark another 3-0 run to increased LU's lead to four.

The Cardinals began to separate themselves when they went on a 5-0 run to make the score 13-6.

HCU answered back with a 4-0 run to trail by three.

Maja Malinowska then served three straight service aces during a 4-0 run to increase the lead to six.

The Huskies kept chipping away until they used a 4-0 run to tie up the score at 20-all.

As the pendulum went back and forth with three more ties, LU scored two unanswered points to close out the set as Malinowska slammed down a kill and Keeley Nellis served up an ace.

LU gave up the first point to begin the third set.

From that point on the Cardinals never trailed as Rhone capped off a 3-0 run with a kill to extend the lead to five.

LU stayed hot on offense, taking a 10-point lead after going on a 5-0 run. Rhone landed three straight kills during the rally.

Alexa Gonzalez caught the Huskies off guard as she landed a sneak attack to notch the set point.

The score was tied 20 times in the heart-pounding fourth set.

HCU was on the verge of forcing a fifth set until the Cardinals got three straight kills from Malinowska to take the match down the stretch.

"We have tons of work to do. We will get back to work on Monday before we shift our energy into Northwestern State and East Texas A&M," Apolinario added. "We have a chance for a couple of good training sessions in order to clean up some things on our side."

RECORDS: LU (12-11, 5-3); HCU (10-11, 5-3)

MATCH NOTES

• Malinowska finished with 20 kills, three service aces and 18 digs. This was her 12th double-double of the season.
• Rhone added with 13 kills, two service aces, four total blocks and eight digs.
• Elms also had 13 kills while she had two service aces and eight digs.
• Gonzalez led the offense with 49 assists while she also tallied one service ace, one solo block and seven digs.
• Gabby Baker led the back line with 22 digs. She now has 456 digs this season, moving her past Shanda Hart (452 digs in 2002) who is ranked sixth in program history for digs in a season.
• Daniella Udegbunam finished with three solo blocks.
• LU finished with 11 service aces and 10 total blocks.
• The Cardinals hit .469 in the third set with 16 kills and just one error.

UP NEXT

The Cardinals are back on the road next week for two games. LU takes on Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23.