Nov. 15, 2008

Box Score

BEAUMONT - In their final match of the regular season, the Lamar University volleyball team fell to the University of Central Arkansas 3-1 Saturday afternoon at McDonald Gym.

With the loss Lamar's record falls to 14-11 overall and 12-4 in Southland Conference play, while the Sugar Bears improve to 19-7 overall and 12-4 in conference play.

In the first set the Lady Cardinals outlasted the Sugar Bears down the stretch for a 25-22 win. Lamar's offense was dominant in the opening frame, hitting .455 while the defense was also stout, wracking up five blocks. Central Arkansas was not able to match the LU firepower, as they hit .229.

After the first set the Lady Cardinals could not find the level of play they had to start the match, and UCA took advantage. The Sugar Bears took game two with a 25-20 win to tie the match at a set apiece, as LU hit just .111 to UCA's .333.

In the third set Lamar continued to struggle offensively which kept the Sugar Bears in control. The Lady Cards hit just .103 in the third frame while UCA hit -.033, but five Sugar Bear service aces, combined with four LU service errors helped the visitors to a 25-22 win.

In the fourth set the Lady Cardinals found the offensive firepower again, but could not overcome their own poor serving down the stretch to extend the match. Lamar had eight service errors in the final set of the match which enabled UCA to hold on for a 31-29 win to close out the match.

For the match the Lady Cardinals were led by Shalayne Blythe who knocked down 14 kills with a .520 hitting percentage, while Lauren Holdorff and Kaci Brewer each tallied 11 kills. Ashley Todd passed out 26 assists and Adrianne Meengs had 21 assists while Andrea Hamilton led the LU defense with 14 digs.

The lady Cardinals will be back in action on Friday when they play in the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament in Nacogdoches, Texas.