BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University battled Sam Houston throughout the match but fell in straight sets, 28-26, 25-16, 28-26, to close out the Lamar Invitational on Saturday afternoon at McDonald Gym.
Despite the setback,
Maja Malinowska reached a career milestone, surpassing 1,000 career points.
Entering the match needing five points to reach the mark, Malinowska finished the day with 1,006 career points over her three-year career.
The Cardinals had two players reach career milestones during the tournament.
Alexa Gonzalez recorded her 2,000th career assist after totaling 36 assists on Friday.
The opening set featured 17 ties as neither team could create much separation.
Lamar built a three-point lead behind a service ace from
Katelyn Hughes and a kill from
Kinley Elms.
The Cardinals maintained the advantage following consecutive kills from Malinowska and
Riley Johnson.
The set remained tight down the stretch, with the lead changing hands several times before Sam Houston closed on a 4-1 run to secure the two-point victory.
Sam Houston seized control early in the second set, using a 4-0 run to build a five-point lead.
The Bearkats gradually pulled away as the set progressed, closing on a 5-1 run to secure the victory and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Sam Houston led by as many as six points midway through the third set before Lamar rallied with a 6-0 run to even the score at 22-22.
The teams traded points down the stretch, resulting in five ties before the Bearkats scored the final three points to secure the set to complete the sweep.
LAMAR INVITATIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Sam Houston: Shaelin White (MVP), Chloe Monson and Bella Wood.
North Dakota: Lilliana Montes, Reagan McIntosh and Lauren Perugini.
UL Monroe: Tatum Clay
Lamar: Gabby Baker
MATCH NOTES
- Grace Hill paced the Cardinals' offense with 12 kills while adding one block assist and one dig.
- Malinowska recorded 10 kills, nine digs and one service ace.
- Madelynn Coy contributed eight kills and five digs while Martinez added six kills and three block assists.
- Hughes dished out 20 assists to go along with seven digs and one service ace while Gonzalez totaled 18 assists and five digs.
- Gabby Baker anchored the back row with 12 digs and added two assists.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals open Southland Conference play at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, when they host LSU New Orleans.
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