BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University's hopes of a Southland Conference Championship in women's tennis took a staggering blow Saturday as the Cardinals dropped a 5-2 decision to McNeese at the Thompson Family Tennis Center. It marks the team's third consecutive loss (second-straight conference setback), which is the Cards' longest stretch without a victory this season.
Nothing seemed to go LU's way Saturday as it dropped the doubles point to its rivals from Louisiana. The Cowgirls took the opening match at No. 2 doubles. The visitors in blue picked up the point with their 6-4 victory at No. 1 singles. McNeese got strong play on all three courts as they had a one game advantage at No. 3 before the match was halted.
The Cardinals appeared to settle down in singles play, as senior
Katya Lapayeva pulled the Cardinals even with her dominating performance at No. 1 singles. One of four seniors for the Cardinals, Lapayeva never allowed Giovanna Fioretti to get settled into the match taking a 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals were never able to string together a run of victories Saturday, as McNeese responded with wins on courts three and five to take a 3-1 advantage.
With their backs against the wall and needing to win out, the Cardinals had two matches advance to a third set. With courts two and four heading to the third, Big Red was also needing junior
Stephanie Marchena to rally at No. 6 singles.
Of the remaining matches, the Cardinals came up with just one victory as Spengler rallied for a 6-4, 5-7, 10-5 decision over McNeese's Sarah Jurakova at No. 2 singles, but that was the LU's last victory of the day. The Cowgirls' Stella Carra recorded a straight-sets winner at No. 6 singles, while Charoline Erlandsson recorded a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory at the No. 4 spot.
The Cardinals have to quickly put Saturday's match behind them as they will be back on the court Sunday to host Nicholls for Senior Day. The match against the Colonels will begin at 1:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive by 1 p.m. for the Senior Day ceremony which will begin at 1 p.m.
-LU CARDINALS-
