BEAUMONT – The three-match winning streak ended with a 3-0 loss on Thursday night for the Texas A&M University-Commerce volleyball team at the Lamar Cardinals via set scores of 30-28, 25-22, 25-20, in McDonald Gym.
 
Thursday was the first Southland Conference loss for the Lions, who fall to 6-10 overall and 3-1 in SLC play, while the Cardinals are 10-5 overall and 2-1 in SLC, winning over A&M-Commerce for the first time since 2022.
 
"This one was hard to swallow, but it we have to turn around and get ready for SFA," said coach Joe Morales. "Lamar was ready to go, we tried to make adjustments but things did not go in our favor. We got beat by good and well coached Lamar. We had many opportunities but let them slip away. We were playing to stay in the game and they were playing to win. 

We definitely have work to do and unfortunately have a tough five-match stretch with the top half of the SLC, But we can only focus on each game as they come. The shining light is we are still digging the ball. Now we need to find the court."

For the Lions, both Gracie Campbell (Klein Oak) and Ellie Baumert (Dodge, Neb.) posted double-doubles.
 
The Lions led early to begin the first set, but Lamar put together a 7-1 run to go ahead 15-12 in the first. Both sides exchanged points the rest of the way as the Cardinals had the first set point of the set, but a service error tied the set at 25.
 
A&M-Commerce's only set point of the match came at 28-27 in the first, but an attacking error tied the set, and the Cardinals took the next two points for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Cardinals led for the entirety of the second set, though the Lions staged a late 4-1 run to come to within 23-22, but an attacking error opened up a set point opportunity, which the Cardinals took advantage of for the 25-22 win in the second.
 
In the third set, the Lions were ahead 10-7, but the next six points went to Lamar. The Lions bounced back by winning the next four, but the Cardinals went on to take the third set 25-20, winning three of the final four points of the match.
 
Baumert totaled 28 assists and 13 digs for her fourth consecutive double-double, while Campbell recorded 12 kills, 14 digs, and one ace. Jade Smith (Houston – Mayde Creek) picked up 20 digs, while Avery Wilks (Mont Belvieu – Barbers Hill) recorded eight kills.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions head to SFA on Saturday at noon.