BEAUMONT, Texas – Although Lamar University recorded a 5-2 decision at UT Rio Grande Valley Saturday afternoon, the match, on the individual courts was a lot closer. Although only one match went to a third set – No. 2 singles – the Cardinals proved their poise on the court pulling out close decision after close decision on the individual courts.
The victory was LU's third straight this season. The Cardinals now sit at 4-2 (.667) on the year.
The day ended with four sets being decided in a tiebreak, including line two doubles, and a fifth that ended 7-5.
"I'm really proud of the way our ladies played today," said LU head coach David Wong. "We kept our process in check and got good results.
"UTRGV fought very hard today and played a very tough match. They are a well-coached team," added Wong.
Big Red dropped the first tiebreak set of the day, but it didn't matter as they had already locked up the doubles point with victories at Nos. 3 and 1 doubles, respectively.
The Cardinals utilized their strength at the bottom of the singles ladder to add to their lead. Senior Hanna Elfving gave the Red and White a 2-0 lead with her straight-sets victory on court six. Elfving seemed to have little trouble dispensing UTRGV's Amanda Guardia, 6-1, 6-3. Newcomer Sanja Jolic followed suit with a victory at No. 5 singles. She won the opening set in a tiebreak over the Vaqueros' Chloe LeClere which seemed to be a back-breaker as Jolic cruised to a 6-1 victory in the second set.
The Vaqueros finally got on the scoreboard, and kept the match alive, with their victory on court six. Any thoughts of a rally were quickly put to rest as senior Katya Lapayeva defeated Marine Darzyan with little trouble, 6-3, 6-2, at the No. 1 spot.
Freshman Jasmin Buchta got the team's final victory of the day with a two-set winner at No. 3 singles. She defeated the Vaqueros' Anastasia Belyaeva, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. UTRGV closed out the match with a victory on court two for the final score.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they will be back in Beaumont to open Southland Conference play against Stephen F. Austin. The match against the Ladyjacks is slated to begin at 1 p.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
-LU CARDINALS-
