BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's tennis team will step on the court Saturday morning to kick off the 2018 season looking to build on one of the strongest years in program history. The Cardinals posted 17 wins last year, but enters the new season with a talented roster loaded with new faces.
 
After graduating four players, including the Southland Player of the Year, from last year's squad that finished second in the league, LU head coach David Wong has retooled his roster with six incoming freshmen. One of the youngest rosters in the nation, the Cardinals lineup will also consist of two sophomores and a senior.
 
The Cardinals will officially open the spring portion of their schedule Saturday in Houston against Rice University. The match against the Owls was slated to begin at 11 a.m., but has been moved to a 10 a.m. start from the George R. Brown Tennis Center.
 
The Owls also recorded one of the strongest seasons in program history last year going 18-6 and winning the Conference USA title with a perfect 6-0 mark. The Owls steamrolled their way through the conference tournament last year picking up three wins (by outscoring their opponents 12-1) on their way to the NCAA Championships. Rice's season came to an end in the opening round of the NCAA Championships falling to TCU, 4-0. Saturday's match will also serve as the season opener for the Owls.
 
The Cardinals will take the short drive over to the University of Houston campus Sunday afternoon to take on the Cougars. The match against the Cougars is slated to begin at 4 p.m. from the Barbara Wallace Winston Tennis Facility, and will serve as the season opener for the Cougars.
 
The Cougars struggled to a 10-13 overall record last season, which included a 1-4 record in conference play. UH closed out the year by dropping three of its final four matches, and six of its last eight.
 
 
-LU CARDINALS-