Lamar Bumps Defending Champs from Southland Tournament
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HUNTSVILLE, Texas - The No. 6 seed Lamar upset the defending tournament champions, No. 3 seed Texas State in five sets (26-24, 27-25, 25-22, 25-21, 16-14) at the Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament in Huntsville, Texas.
Lamar, who lost to Texas State in the semifinals of the 2009 tournament, makes their fourth consecutive semifinals appearance. The Cardinals are the first No. 6 seed to win in the opening round since Northwestern State in the 2007 tournament.
Sophomore middle blocker Jayme Bazile led Lamar with 16 kills. A first-team all-conference selection, Bazile led the league in blocks per set (1.21) and added to her total with six blocks including one solo. Sophomore Tina Hobbs, the Southland newcomer of the year, had 15 digs and five block assists in the win. Sophomore Alex Morford had a match-high 56 assists.
Texas State, who has won four of the last six tournament championships, has not been knocked out of the first round of the tournament since 1997. The Bobcats were led by first-team all-conference selection, senior outside hitter A.J. Watlington with a match-high 21 kills. Freshman outside hitter Amari Deardorff, also a first-team selection, had 19 kills and senior outside hitter Mo Middleton had 15 kills.
The Cardinals will play the No. 2 seed UTSA in the semifinals, who won earlier today in match one. Match five is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m.
All seven matches of the 2010 tournament will be streamed live for free on SLC NOW and the championship match will be televised by the Southland Conference Television Network.
Quotes:
Lamar Coach Justin Gibert
"The atmosphere was really electric and it's great to get a win in that environment. If we can play with the same determination and intensity tomorrow, then I think we have a good chance. Our goal is to be playing in the final match."
"This is a big win because Texas State is the best tournament team in the Southland year in and year out. The whole team really worked together today to pick up this victory over a very tough opponent."