BEAUMONT, Texas - The Lamar University women's tennis team put up a valiant effort but dropped a 7-0 decision to visiting No. 31 Rice in the season opener for both teams at the Thompson Family Tennis Center on Saturday.

Rice opened the day by sweeping all three doubles matches by identical 6-1 scores for the early 1-0 lead.

The Owls claimed straight-set victories in all six singles matches. Rice's Savannah Durkin earned the first singles point with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over LU freshman Luciana DiLaura at No. 6 singles. Rice increased its lead to 3-0 when Alison Ho wrapped up her 6-3, 6-3 win over LU sophomore Teodora Stefanovic at the fourth spot.

Rice clinched the team win when Fernanda Astete defeated sophomore Stephanie Marchena 6-3, 6-2 at the fifth singles position.

At No. 1 singles, LU junior Katya Lapayeva dropped a 6-1, 6-2 decision to Rice's Lindsey Hodge to give the Owls a 5-0 lead. That lead was boosted to 6-0 when Rice's Katherine Ip posted a 6-3, 6-2 win over LU junior Anna Spengler at second singles.

Rice wrapped up the match when Emily Smith defeated LU's Talissa Merchiers 6-2, 6-3 at three singles.

The Cardinals return to action when they host Tyler Junior College in a non-conference doubleheader on Feb. 6. The first match is set to start at 10 a.m., with the second match slated to get under way at 2 p.m.

Admission to all LU home matches is free.

Rice 7, Lamar University 0
Singles competition
1. Lindsey Hodge (Rice) d. Katya Lapayeva (LU) 6-1, 6-2
2. Katherine Ip (Rice) d. Anna Spengler (LU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Emily Smith (Rice) d. Talissa Merchiers (LU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
4. Alison Ho (Rice) d. Teodora Stefanovic (LU) 6-3, 6-3
5. Fernanda Astete (Rice) d. Stephanie Marchena 6-3, 6-2
6. Savannah Durkin (Rice) d. Luciana Di Laura (LU) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Lindsey Hodge/Alison Ho (Rice) d. Katya Lapayeva/Luciana DiLaura (LU) 6-1
2. Emily Smith/Katherine Ip (Rice) d. Anna Spengler/Talissa Merchiers (LU) 6-1
3. Savannah Durkin/Solomiya Zinko (Rice) d. Teodora Stefanovic/Stephanie Marchena (LU) 6-1
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,4,5,1,2,3)