Aug. 25, 2007

Box Score

HOUSTON - After dropping its first match of the day to host Rice University, Lamar University bounced back with a 3-0 win over Louisiana Tech Saturday afternoon in volleyball action at the Mizuno Invitational at Fox Gymnasium.

Lamar (2-1) defeated the Lady Techsters by scores of 30-18, 33-31 and 32-30. Lamar lost its first match on Saturday to the Owls by scores of 30-17, 27-30, 28-30, 33-31 and 12-15. Lamar returns home to host Louisiana-Lafayette Tuesday at 7 p.m. in McDonald Gym.

Freshman Destiny Mason recorded a double-double to pace the Lady Cardinals in the win over La. Tech. She pounded out 15 kills to go along with 12 digs. Lauren Rush added 12 kills and hit a .333 clip. Junior setter Ashley Todd passed out 47 assists and Andrea Hamilton added 12 digs.

Shannon Phillips had a game-high 22 kills to lead La. Tech. Kristen Fairbanks added a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs. Jillann Walker had 42 assists.

In the first match of the day, the Lady Cardinals dropped a five-game decision to host Rice University. Lamar jumped out quickly, posting a 30-17 win in game one, but the Owls responded by squeezing out wins in games two and three by scores of 30-27 and 30-28. The Lady Cards took game four 33-31 but could not hold on in game five as Rice won the match with a 15-12 win in game five.

The Lady Cardinals were again led by a triple double by sophomore setter Adrianne Meengs who knocked down 10 kills, picked up 14 digs and passed out 39 assists. Fellow sophomores Lauren Holdorff and Kaci Brewer also played well for LU, tallying 16 and 14 kills respectively, while Todd dished out 16 assists. Defensively, Hamilton led the way for LU with 20 digs.

The Owls were led by Jessica Holderness's 21 kills, while Caroline Gilland Karyn Morgan each knocked down 11 kills. Setter Merideth Schamun led all players in the match with 58 assists.

In the final match of the tournament, Oral Roberts defeated Rice, which gave the Lady Cards the championship. Meengs and Brewer were named to the all-tournament team for their efforts against ORU and Rice.