THIBODAUX, La. - Sophomore Andrea Ivanovic won her third consecutive singles match guiding Lamar University (3-4/1-2 Southland) to a 5-2 victory over defending Southland Conference champion Nicholls Saturday afternoon at the Colonel Tennis Complex. After starting the season 0-3, Ivanovic has rebounded in a big way and has moved to .500 (3-3) on the season, and has helped the Cardinals move back within a match of the .500 mark, as well as picking up their first league victory.

Although LU got the win, it had to fight through several long sets. Four sets were decided in a tiebreak, and two were forced to a third set. The Cardinals won three of the tiebreakers, and both three set matches.

The Red and White was able to correct the mistakes it saw in doubles from its opening two conference matches and take the first point against the Colonels. The two teams split the first two doubles matches as the duo of Talisa Merchiers and Stephanie Marchena ousted Nicholls' Andrea Mastrippolito and Clemence Krug, 6-3. The Colonels followed LU's script at line one picking up a 6-3 victory to put all the focus on a thrilling match at No. 2.

LU's duo of junior Katya Lapayeva and freshman Luciana Di Laura were forced to go to a tiebreak to decide the match, but they took over in the extra frame. LU's team recorded a 7-3 decision in the tiebreak to take a 7-6 win and the doubles point.

Di Laura picked up the Cards' second point with a completely dominant performance at No. 6 singles. The Lima, Peru native overwhelmed Mastrippolito for a 6-1, 6-0, decision to give the Red and White a 2-0 lead.

The advantage did not last long as Nicholls answered back with wins at Nos. 1 and 4 singles to tie the match at 2 with three remaining. Ivanovic got the lead back for LU at No. 2 singles but it wasn't easy. Although she defeated Nicholls' Milou Pietersz in straight sets, Ivanovic had to win in a tie break in the opening set before closing the match with a 6-4 decision in the second.

Ivanovic's win put the Cardinals in a strong position of needing just one more point to close out the match with two competitions remaining. The Cards would get that victory from the next position on the singles ladder as junior Anna Spengler was the next off the court.

After dropping the opening set in a tiebreak, Spengler bounced right back to take the next two sets. Spengler rallied to defeat Krug, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-1 to lock up LU's first conference win of the season. The Cardinals closed out the day with one final point from Marchena at No. 5 singles.

The Cardinals have very little time to enjoy their victory as they return to action Sunday against McNeese State. The match against the Cowgirls is slated to begin at noon from Lake Charles, La.

Singles
1. Julia Melendez (NSU) def. Katya Lapayeva (LU), 6-0, 6-3
2. Andrea Ivanovic (LU) def. Milou Pietersz (NSU), 7-6 (8-6), 6-4
3. Anna Spengler (LU) def. Clemence Krug (NSU), 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-1
4. Isla Brock (NSU) def. Talisa Merchiers (LU), 6-1, 6-2
5. Stephanie Marchena (LU) def. Laia Charles (NSU), 1-6, 7-6 (7-1), 7-5
6. Luciana Di Laura (LU) def. Andrea Mastrippolito (NSU), 6-1, 6-0

Doubles
1. Pietersz/Melendez (NSU) def. Spengler/Ivanovic (LU), 6-3
2. Lapayeva/Di Laura (LU) def. Brock/Charles (NSU), 7-6 (7-3)
3. Marchena/Merchiers (LU) def. Mastrippolito/Krug (NSU), 6-3