CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – It all comes down to this – an overly used phrase in the world of athletics but one that accurately describes Lamar University's next contest. The Cardinals will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Friday in its regular-season finale. The match against the Islanders is more than just a renewing of a series between two rivals, but a battle for the outright 2017 Southland title hangs in the balance.
 
LU (15-6/4-0 SLC) enters the week alone in first place in the conference standings just a game up on A&M-Corpus Christi. A victory would give the Cardinals the outright title for a second consecutive season. The Islanders need a victory to earn a share of the championships.
 
A&M-Corpus Christi (14-8/3-1 SLC) entered the week in a two-way tie for first with the Cardinals, but suffered a one-point setback, 4-3, at Abilene Christian Wednesday evening. Prior to the loss, the Islanders had won three consecutive and nine of their last 12.
 
The Islanders are nearly unbeatable at home historically, and nothing has changed this season. A&M-Corpus Christi is 10-1 (.909) in front of their home fans in 2017, while LU is 6-4 (.600) away from Beaumont.
 
Similar to last season, the Cardinals are heating up at just the right time. The Cardinals have won six straight and nine of their last 10. Big Red is coming off an impressive 6-1 victory over Nicholls last week in Thibodaux.
 
In addition to winning another conference title, the Red and White have an opportunity to improve upon last season's impressive win total. The Cardinals are currently two wins shy of last season's total, and would need a win Friday and two wins in the conference championships to surpass the 2016 tally.
 
Regardless of what happens Friday, the Cardinals have already won a share of the 2017 Southland title, which marks the first time in 40 years that LU has won back-to-back league crowns. Friday sets up a battle for the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. If the Islanders win there would be a there would be a three-way tie for the title, but Abilene Christian is ineligible for the postseason due to NCAA rules on the transition from the NCAA Division II to Division I level.
 
The match is slated to begin at 2 p.m. from the Thomas J. Henry Tennis Center in Corpus Christi. The Southland Conference Tennis Championships will begin Saturday, April 29, at the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Complex.
 
-LU CARDINALS-