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HUNTSVILLE - Carli Kolbe totaled 15 kills and Anna Ferguson added 11 more to lead Sam Houston State to a 25-17 26-24 25-22 victory over Lamar in both team's Southland Conference opener Friday night at Johnson Coliseum.

The Bearkats out-killed the Cardinals 39 to 31 as Sam Houston State generated 58 points off kills, blocks and service aces. Lamar held leads only twice early in both the first and second sets but Sam Houston never trailed in the third.

Kaci Brewer, Wendy Krell and Lauren Holdroff each had seven kills to lead Lamar.

Sam Houston State upped its record to 6-7 for the season. Lamar is now 4-6.

"This was a great win for us," SHSU head coach Brenda Gray, who has lost two starters to season-ending injuries in the past two weeks. "To lose your starting setter (Kym Loving) and one of your top front line players (Kelli Stewart) and still beat an outstanding program like Lamar really says a lot about this group."

The match also was part of the Comfort Suites Bearkat Classic which continues with four games at Johnson Coliseum Saturday.

Central Michigan defeated North Texas 25-19 25-22 25-20 to open play in the Comfort Suites Bearkat Classic volleyball tournament Friday afternoon.

The Chippewas dispatched the Eagles in an hour and nine minutes as Lauren Krupsky led her team with nine kills and Kaitlyn Schultz added eight. Amy Huddleston was the top scorer for North Texas with eight kills.

Central Michigan and Lamar get day two under way Saturday morning at 9 a.m. The Bearkats will face the Mean Green at noon. North Texas will battle the Cardinals at 4 p.m., then Sam Houston closes the tournament with a match against Central Michigan at 7.

Tickets are each tournament session are $5 for bench seats and $3 for general admission. For more information call the Sam Houston State ticket office (936) 294-1729 and click for volleyball ticket information.