Lady Cardinals Stunned by Texas State, Fall 3-1 :: Lamar finishes season with 25-9 record

Nov. 17, 2007

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Lamar University volleyball team could not overcome an overpowering offensive performance by Texas State on Saturday night, falling 3-1 to the Bobcats in the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament at the Convocation Center at the University of Texas San Antonio.

The loss ends the Lady Cardinals season at 25-9 on the year, while Texas State improves to 20-11 on the year and advances to the tournament finals where they will face Stephen F. Austin at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

The Lady Cardinals struggled to match Texas State's momentum from the beginning of the match, as the Bobcats opened up in game one with a .361 hitting percentage, while LU managed to hit just .163. Kaci Brewer led the way for the Lamar offense in game one, knocking down six kills in a 30-27 loss.

The Lady Cardinals picked up their offensive output in game two, hitting .250, but it was not enough to out do Texas State who posted a .298 hitting percentage, again winning 30-27. Courtney Mitchell led Lamar with six kills while hitting .714 in the game.

In game three the Lady Cardinals were able to push past Texas State, despite the Bobcats .333 hitting percentage, for a 30-28 win. Mitchell again powered the LU offense, pounding down six kills with a .667 hitting percentage, while Adrianne Meengs passed out 14 assists.

After taking game three the Lady Cards looked like they would continue to roll, as they jumped out to a 6-2 lead. Texas State however rallied back to tie the game at nine, and eventually pulled away late in the game for a 30-23 win. Behind five blocks, the Bobcats held Lamar to a -.037 hitting percentage, while hitting .200 posting a .200 hitting percentage of their own. Mitchell again led the way for LU with six kills, while Molli Abel added four kills.

In their final match in the red and white, Mitchell and Abel were the offensive leaders for the Lady Cards. Mitchell had the best performance of her career, leading the way with a career-high and match-high 19 kills with a .440 hitting percentage. Abel wrapped up her career with 11 kills and four blocks, while Adrianne Meengs passed out a match-high 48 assists.

"In their last match of their Lamar career, Molli and Courtney did what seniors are supposed to do, and led the way for us," head coach Justin Gibert said. "Courtney Mitchell had the best performance of her career, and that's exactly what seniors are supposed to do. She and Molli have been leaders for us all year, and we are going to miss what they bring to the team.

The Lady Cards had three players finish with double digit digs, led by Andrea Hamilton's 16. Genevieve Gladle came off the bench and gave LU a spark with 15 digs and nine kills, while Destiny Mason added 10 digs.