BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's tennis team surrendered a total in six games in doubles play and recorded the first two singles wins of the afternoon as it outpaced Central Arkansas, 5-2, Saturday afternoon at the Thompson Family Tennis Center. The Cardinals (7-5/2-3 Southland) never trailed as they pushed their win streak to four closing out a very successful homestand.
 
"Our young ladies did an awesome job today," said LU head coach David Wong. "Dealing with the wind was a huge factor today, but we managed to keep the ball in play. I also thought we played excellent in doubles today. That is very important especially considering the close matches we've been involved in this year."
 
LU's team of sophomore Stephanie Marchena and junior Talisa Merchiers picked up the first victory of the day with their 6-1 decision at No. 3 doubles. As if the two doubles teams were in a race to see who could finish first, junior Anna Spengler and sophomore Andrea Ivanovic posted a 6-2 decision over the Sugar Bears' Chunan Xiang and Marli Van Heerden at No. 1 doubles just moments later.
 
With the doubles point in hand the match at line two was stopped, but Big Red was up by two in the set.
 
The momentum gained in doubles carried right into the start of singles action as the Cards took the first two matches. Just like in the doubles competition, Marchena was the first off the court for the Cardinals. She ousted UCA's Rada Manataweewat in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.
 
Ivanovic gave the Cardinals a commanding 3-0 lead with her victory at the No. 2 position. She easily won the first set, 6-2, over UCA's Amiru Shimoguchi. The second set was closer but Ivanovic prevailed with a 6-4 score.
 
Central Arkansas finally put a dent in the scoreboard at No. 6 singles but it wasn't an easy win. Freshman Luciana Di Laura pushed UCA's Krizia Buck in the opening set before falling 7-5. The second was just as close before Di Laura bowed out, 6-4.
 
UCA pulled back within striking distance of the Red and White after a hard-fought win at No. 3 singles. Although Spengler came up short in the match, she showed poise battling from a 6-0 setback in the first set to push UCA's QiLi Ma to a tiebreaker in the second before falling, 7-6 (9-7).
 
The Sugar Bears attempt at a rally was short lived as Merchiers put an end to any thoughts of a comeback at line four. One of two Cardinals who were forced to battle through a three-set match, Merchiers won the opening set, 6-1, only to see her opponent – Marli Van Heerden – win the second (6-2). The third set was the closest of the day between the two players but Merchiers prevailed to keep the Cards win streak alive.
 
Junior Katya Lapayeva was the final player off the court, and was the second straight match to go to a third set. Although the team outcome had already been decided, Lapayeva didn't lose focus. After winning her opening set, 6-4, over UCA's Xylia Chunan Xiang, Lapayeva struggled in the second set falling by a score of 6-1. Undaunted, Lapayeva rallied in the final set to record the victory, 6-3.
 
The Cardinals return to action Wednesday when they travel to San Antonio, Texas to take on UTSA. The match against the Roadrunners will begin at 2 p.m.
  
Singles
1. Katya Lapayeva (LU) def. Xylia Chunan Xiang (UCA), 6-4, 1-6, 6-3
2. Andrea Ivanovic (LU) def. Amiru Shimoguchi (UCA), 6-2, 6-4
3. QiLi Ma (UCA) def. Anna Spengler (LU), 6-0, 7-6 (9-7)
4. Talisa Merchiers (LU) def. Marli Van Heerden (UCA), 6-1, 2-6, 6-4
5. Stephanie Marchena (LU) def. Rada Manataweewat (UCA), 6-4, 6-2
6. Krizia Buck (UCA) def. Luciana Di Laura (LU), 7-5, 6-4
 
Doubles
1. Spengler/Ivanovic (LU) def. Xiang/Heerden (UCA), 6-2
2. Lapayeva/Di Laura (LU) vs. Ma/Manataweewat (UCA), 5-3, Unf.
3. Marchena/Merchiers (LU) def. Shimoguchi/Buck (UCA), 6-1