BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's tennis team picked up its first win of the season with a 5-2 victory over Tyler Junior College at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center on Saturday.
 
"We're playing well as a team," LU coach David Wong said after the win. They are applying the philosophy that we are trying to teach them. Despite their youth they are really starting to buy into what we are teaching."
 
The Cardinals earned the doubles point by winning two of the three matches. Katya Lapayeva and Luciana DiLaura were the first ones off the court after posting a 6-2 win over Tereza Klocova and Michelle Walker at second doubles. LU clinched the point when the No. 3 doubles unit of Stephanie Marchena and Talissa Merchiers posed a 6-2 win over Autria Compton and Montana Moore.
 
The visiting Apaches (0-2) made things interesting by win two of the first three singles matches. Gabrielle Andrews defeated Lapayeva 6-2, 6-0 at first singles to tie the team score. Merchiers put LU back on top at 2-1 with a 6-0, 6-1 decision over Moore at No. 4 singles, but Elizabeth Bagerbaseh of Tyler Junior College evened things at 2-2 a 6-1, 6-3 win over Andrea Ivanovic at No. 2 singles.
 
That's when the bottom part of the LU lineup came through.
 
Anna Spengler gave LU a 3-2 lead when she defeated Klocova 6-3, 6-3 at third singles. That left it up to the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots, with both matches going three sets.
 
Marchena wrapped up the team win by defeating Elena Tendero 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 at No. 6 singles. Teodora Stefanovic put the icing on the cake by rallying for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Walker at fifth singles.
 
"I think we played really well today," Wong said. Tyler Junior College is one of the best junior college teams in America.
 
Saturday's event was originally scheduled to be a doubleheader at LU's Thompson Family Tennis Center, but was changed to just a single match at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center because of the threat of inclement weather.
 
"I think our players did a tremendous job of handling the change of venues at the last second," Wong said.
 
The Cardinals return to action at noon Feb. 13 when Arkansas State pays a visit to the Thompson Family Tennis Center. Admission to all LU home tennis matches is free.
 
LAMAR UNIVERSITY (1-1) 5, TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE (0-2) 2
 
Singles Competition
1. Gabrielle Andrews (TJC) d. Katya Lapayeva (LU) 6-2, 6-0
2. Elizabeth Bagerbaseh (TJC) d. Andrea Ivanovic (LU) 6-3, 6-1
3. Anna Spengler (LU) d. Tereza Klocova (TJC) 6-3, 6-3
4. Talisa Merchiers (LU) d. Montana Moore (TJC) 6-0, 6-1
5. Teodora Stefanovic (LU) d. Michelle Walker (TJC) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
6. Stephanie Marchena (LU) d. Elena Tendero (TJC) 6-0, 5-7, 6-4).
 
Doubles Competition
1. Gabrielle Andrews/Elizabeth Bagerbaseh (TJC) d. Andrea Ivanovic/Anna Spengler (LU) 6-4
2. Katya Lapayeva/Luciana DiLaura (LU) d. Tereza Klocova/Michelle Walker (TJC) 6-2
3. Stephanie Marchena/Talissa Merchiers (LU) d. Autria Compton/Montana Moore (TJC) 6-2
 
Match Notes:
Order of Finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,4,2,3,6,5)