BEAUMONT, Texas – After five consecutive matches on the road, the Lamar University men's tennis team (4-2) finally played in front of its own fans, but LU didn't give fans much time to get settled in to their seats at the Thompson Family Tennis Center. The Cardinals easily routed Prairie View A&M (0-7), 7-0 Friday afternoon in a match that lasted less than two hours in front of more than 300 fans.
 
The Panthers arrived in Beaumont outmanned from the beginning with only five healthy players, and were forced to forfeit decisions at No. 3 doubles and No. 1 singles.
 
The Cardinals took advantage of the 1-0 lead, but didn't really need it. Although juniors Jeandre Hoogenboezem and Nikita Lis dug themselves an early hole at No. 1 doubles, the senior duo of Trey Crysel and Steven McMullan made quick work of Prairie View's Ulrick Boyogueno and Anirudh Yadav, 6-1. With the doubles points locked up, Hoogenboezem and Lis settled down and put together one of the best rallies of their career.
 
After trailing 5-0, the all junior duo battled back to win 7-5 at No. 1 doubles. The victory seemed to knock the wind out of the Panthers sails as LU rattled off five consecutive singles wins with very little opposition.
 
"Prairie View came out ready to play in doubles," said LU head coach Scott Shankles. "We just didn't seem ready to match that at line one. They got off to a good start, and we made a lot of errors. Once we settled down, we got a few more balls in play and began to pressure them by making the points last longer. Our second doubles team took care of business and got off the court quickly."
 
After the come back at No. 1 doubles, LU didn't allow Prairie View more than two games in any of the singles matches, winning all five in straight sets.
 
Sophomore Benny Schweizer picked up the team's first singles win with his 6-2, 6-0, victory over Anirudh Yadav at No. 3 singles. Junior Michael Feucht gave the Cards a 3-0 lead when he finished off Christian Waldron, 6-2, 6-1, at the No. 1 singles match.
 
McMullan locked up the victory at No. 4 singles when he posted a 6-2, 6-0, victory. Freshman Sebastian Santibanez and Crysel put the finishing touches on the shutout with their singles wins.
 
The Cardinals return to action Sunday against Oral Roberts. The match against the Golden Eagles will begin at 10 a.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center, and admission is free. ORU will face Prairie View A&M Saturday in Beaumont before taking on the Cardinals.
  
Singles
1. Michael Feucht (LU) def. Christian Waldron (PVAMU), 6-2, 6-1
2. Sebastian Santibanez (LU) def. Sergio Avella (PVAMU), 6-2, 6-1
3. Benny Schweizer (LU) def. Anirudh Yadav (PVAMU), 6-0, 6-2
4. Steven McMullan (LU) def. Freddy Quintero (PVAMU), 6-2, 6-0
5. Trey Crysel (LU) def. Ulrick Boyogueno (PVAMU), 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles
1. Hoogenboezem/Lis (LU) def. Waldron/Avella (PVAMU), 7-5
2. Crysel/McMullan (LU) def. Ulrick Boygueno/Yadav (PVAMU), 6-1