LYNCHBURG, Va. — Lamar University opened the Liberty Mountain Madness tournament Friday night with a straight-set loss to Liberty at Liberty Arena, falling 25-19, 25-18, 25-23.
The Cardinals jumped out to an early 3-1 lead behind consecutive kills from
Nisaan Martinez and
Madelynn Coy.
Lamar extended its advantage to 7-4 during a 3-0 run that included kills from Martinez and
Kinley Elms and a service ace from
Katelyn Hughes.
After the score was tied five times, the Cardinals built a two-point lead before Liberty responded with a 5-1 run to move in front.
The Flames continued to build momentum, closing the opening set on a 6-1 run.
The second set was tightly contested early, featuring six ties before Liberty scored six consecutive points to take control.
The Flames later used a 7-1 run to extend their lead to 11 points.
Lamar answered with six straight points to cut the deficit to six.
Rihanna Bryant and
Leila Ceaser each recorded a kill during the rally, but Liberty held on to take a two-set advantage.
The Cardinals opened the third set with three consecutive points, including two kills from
Maja Malinowska.
Liberty responded with four straight points to claim a 6-4 lead.
Down the final stretch, the game featured 12 ties as neither team could gain separation.
Lamar used a late 4-0 run to take a two-point lead, with Malinowska recording two kills during the surge and Bryant adding a service ace.
Liberty answered with a 5-1 run to close out the match and complete the sweep.
MATCH NOTES
- Martinez paced the Cardinals with 10 kills, adding two block assists and two digs.
- Elms recorded nine kills and two block assists.
- Malinowska finished with seven kills and seven digs.
- Coy added seven kills and eight digs.
- Hughes distributed 19 assists.
- Alexa Gonzalez totaled 14 assists and six digs.
- Bryant led the net defense with four block assists.
- Gabby Baker posted a team-high 11 digs.
UP NEXT
Lamar closes out the Liberty Mountain Madness tournament against High Point at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5.
#PeckEmCards
