BEAUMONT, Texas — Official practices are underway as the Lamar University volleyball team reported to McDonald Gym on Thursday to begin preparations for the 2026 season.

Under third-year head coach Ariel Apolinario and staff, the Cardinals have continued to raise the standard.

In 2024, Lamar posted its first winning season since 2009, finishing 15-14 and earning its first Southland Conference tournament berth since 2011.

The achievement marked a dramatic turnaround after a two-win campaign in 2023.

The Cardinals built on that momentum in 2025, finishing 17-15 overall and placing fifth in the Southland Conference with a 10-6 league record, the program's first winning mark in conference play since 2011.

Lamar also made consecutive appearances in the Southland Conference tournament for the first time since 2010 and 2011 while recording back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2008 and 2009.

The Cardinals' 17 victories were their most since 2008.

Lamar also tied the fifth-longest winning streak in program history with 10 consecutive victories, matching a mark last achieved in 1990.

This season, the Cardinals hope to continue that momentum.

Lamar opens the season with a pair of exhibition matches, beginning with a home contest against Houston Christian at 2 p.m. on Aug. 15. The Cardinals will then travel to San Marcos to face Texas State at 2 p.m. on Aug. 22.

The Cardinals officially open the 2026 season at the ACU Invitational in Abilene, where they will face Cal State Bakersfield, Abilene Christian and North Texas during the two-day tournament Aug. 28-29.

Lamar's road swing continues with appearances in the Liberty Mountain Madness and Southern Miss Invitational tournaments, along with midweek matches at Houston and Prairie View A&M.

After opening the season with 10 consecutive road matches, the Cardinals return home to host North Dakota at 1 p.m. on Sept. 18 in the opening match of the two-day Lamar Invitational.

Southland Conference play begins Sept. 24 when Lamar hosts LSU New Orleans.

RETURNING LETTERMAN: LU returns eight lettermen including six upperclassmen: Alexa Gonzalez, Jr., S | Addison Stanley, Jr., DS | Emily Moon, Sr., OH | Riley Johnson, RS-Sr., MB | Kinley Elms, So., OPP | Jo Moffitt, Sr., S | Maja Malinowska, Jr., OH | Gabby Baker, So., L/DS.

NEWCOMERS: The Cardinals added 10 newcomers to the roster, including four transfer portal additions and six true freshmen.

FROM THE PORTAL: Nisaan Martinez, So., MB/RS (Alabama A&M) | Grace Hill, Jr., OH/RS (Texas Southern) | Kiana Souza, So., DS/L (Weatherford College) | Kimaya Webb, So., MB (UT Permian Basin).

TRUE FRESHMEN: Katelyn Hughes, S | Rihanna Bryant, MB | Leila Ceaser, OH | Gabrielle St. Louis, OPP | Madelynn Coy, OH/OPP | Saida Maksoud, MB.