Volleyball Closes Out Final Day Of UNO Invitational

NEW ORLEANS - TSU wrapped up the 2022 UNO Invitational with a 3-0 loss to Lamar Saturday afternoon.
 
Game one started out tight as TSU trailed 9-8 but a pair of Lamar service aces capped off a 5-1 run as TSU trailed 14-9. TSU closed to within 14-10 after Tayrn Stafford's kill but Lamar outscored them 5-1 to up the margin to 19-11.
 
TSU underwent a late rally to get back in the game as Danielle Lilley, Stafford and Amber Johnson all had kills which sparked a 9-3 surge as TSU closed to within 22-20. Lamar would reel off two straight points for a 24-20 lead but TSU kept charging as they narrowed the deficit to 24-22 but a TSU attack error led to set point by Lamar as TSU fell 25-22.
 
TSU trailed 13-11 in set two but four straight by Lamar increased its lead to 17-11. Amber Johnson's two kills saw TSU get within 17-13 but errors hurt TSU from that point as they were outscored 7-3 which led to Lamar leading 24-16. The Cardinals would eventually close out the set with a 25-17 win.
 
A 7-1 run by Lamar set the tone in the final set as they claimed an early 15-7 lead. TSU scored three straight to draw within 15-10 but Lamar reeled off five straight to lead 20-10. TSU had a late run but the hill was too high to climb as the Cardinals won 25-17.
 
Amber Johnson led TSU with 11 kills followed by six from Brea Rutledge. Stafford added four blocks followed by three from Rutledge. Dallas Balanay-Flores tallied 17 assists while Kaitlyn Scroggins added 10 digs.
 
TSU will face McNeese State at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Lake Charles, La.