The Bearkats defeated the Southland Conference East Division leading Cardinals 25-20 26-24 14-25 25-20 for Sam Houston's third consecutive league victory.

SHSU now stands 16-12 for the season and 10-5 in Southland action. The Bearkats travel to Lake Charles, La., to face McNeese State in the Kats' final regular season match Saturday at 2 p.m. The Bearkats already have clinched a berth in the Southland post-season tournament to be held next weekend in Conway, Arkansas.

Kaylee Hawkins and Kim Black also posted double digit kills. Hawkins totaled 13 kills and posted 18 digs. Black accounted for 11 kills and had a hand in three blocks.

Haley Neilser totaled six kills and led the Bearkats with four blocks. Kym Loving assisted on 42 of Sam Houston's 54 kills. Jamie Haas led the SHSU defense with 19 digs.

The Bearkats trailed only three times as they rolled to victories in the first two sets. Lamar bounced back to take the third set 25-14. The final set was tied five times, the last at 19-19. The Kats won six of the final seven points with Kolbe picking up the kill on match point.

Lamar dropped to 10-20 for the season and 8-7 in conference action.