BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's tennis team is preparing for its final three matches before the start of Southland Conference play. Before the Cardinals can look to the league opener they have three tough tests this week, including two matches on the road. The Cardinals open the week Thursday with a match against Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals will then hit the road for Mobile, Ala., to take on Southern Mississippi and South Alabama.
 
The Cardinals enter the week with a 1-3 (.250) overall record and are coming off a tough loss to UT Rio Grande Valley, but the Cardinals' season has been slowed by Mother Nature. Since opening the season on Jan. 20^th in Houston, the Cardinals have had three matches cancelled due to the weather, and two other matches forced to change start time and venue due.
 
Eastern Michigan is in a similar situation with two matches cancelled in 2018, including their previous match against St. Mary's. The Eagles enter the week two matches over .500 (5-3/.625) on the season, and coming off a shutout win over Incarnate Word, 6-0, Tuesday morning. EMU will take on Texas State Wednesday before traveling to Beaumont to face the Red and White.
 
While the Cardinals enter the midweek match looking to get back in the win column, Eastern Michigan will be looking to build on a three-match win streak. The Eagles head to the Golden Triangle with consecutive wins over Cleveland State, Central Oklahoma and UIW, and haven't suffered defeat since a Feb. 10 loss at Pittsburgh. Thursday's match is slated for a 3 p.m. start time from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
The Cardinals will be in Mobile, Ala., two days later for matches against Southern Mississippi (Feb. 24) and South Alabama (Feb. 25). Southern Miss is off to one of its best starts in program history with a 7-2 (.778) overall record. The Lady Eagles have won three straight entering the week with the only losses coming at the hands of TCU (in the season opener) and a setback to Northwestern State. The match against Southern Miss will begin at 10 a.m.
 
Big Red will close out the two-match road swing Sunday at South Alabama. The Jaguars are also off to one of their best starts in program history posting a near perfect 6-1 (.857) overall record, but they have also struggled with the weather. USA has had two matches postponed this season with a third cancelled.
 
The Jaguars recently had a five-match win streak come to an end at Tulane, but enter the week coming off a 4-0 victory over Southeastern Louisiana. The Jaguars will host Samford Saturday before squaring off against LU. Sunday's match will begin at 11 a.m.
 
-LU CARDINALS-