Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT — Honoring the accomplishments of the 2018 senior class in a pre-game ceremony, Lamar hosted the Lady Demons of Northwestern State on Thursday in McDonald Gymnasium. The Cards kept it close in the first and third sets but ultimately fell to NSU in a three-set decision.

Senior Tomar Thomas led the offense with nine kills, and fellow senior Ivette Dim had another six kills and four blocks. Senior Zahria Scott poured in six digs and an ace, senior Murielle Hlavac had four digs, and senior Monica Strohschein also recorded an ace.

Lamar got off to a hot start in the first set with a 7-1 run, but Northwestern State quickly answered with an 11-6 run of its own, pulling within one point at 13-12 Lamar. The Cards would increase their lead a bit to 18-14, but again NSU responded, tying the set at 21-21. Head coach Michelle Kuester called a timeout when NSU took its first lead of the set at 22-21 that proved not quite enough; the Lady Demons closed the game with a 3-0 run to win 25-21.

Big Red and Northwestern State traded points early on with Lamar holding a 7-5 advantage in the opening points, and though NSU briefly took a two-point lead at 10-8 the Cards were able to answer with a small run of their own, retaking the lead 11-10. A 10-2 run for NSU started with the next point though, and Lamar quickly had a 20-13 hill to climb. NSU took the second set 25-16.

NSU came out of the break determined to close out the match, opening with a 7-2 run that Lamar eventually answered, tying the set at 14-14. The Cards couldn’t take a lead but stayed within striking distance most of the rest of the set. Ultimately Northwestern State won the set 25-20 and the match 3-0.

Lamar closes out the 2018 season at 10 a.m. on Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana.