BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's tennis team returns to action Friday for the first of two weekend matches. The Cardinals (3-10/0-1 Southland) will be back in conference action when they travel to New Orleans to take on the Privateers. LU will then turn around and make the trek back to Beaumont to host Alcorn State in non-conference action Saturday morning.
 
The Cardinals enter the weekend tasked with the responsibility of righting the ship. Big Red has dropped three consecutive, all by an identical 5-2 score. Even more important than ending a small three-match slide, the Cardinals are also looking to get back to .500 in SLC play. LU dropped its conference home opener to Abilene Christian two weeks ago.
 
UNO enters the week currently two matches under .500 (4-6) on the season, and 0-1 in Southland Conference play. Similar to LU, the Privateers have also dropped their past three outings and are coming off a Southland-opening setback at Nicholls, 4-3. The match against New Orleans is slated to begin at 3 p.m. from the University Tennis Center.
 
Following the match, the Cardinals will quickly turn their focus to a home match against Alcorn State. Originally scheduled as a doubleheader, the Cardinals will play only one match against the Braves Saturday. Alcorn brings a 4-9 (.308) record into the contest, but they have struggled on the road in 2018. Alcorn has struggled to a 1-8 (.111) road record on the year.
 
Despite their overall record and struggles on the road, the Braves are playing their best tennis of the season. Alcorn State hits the road riding a three-match win streak having outscored its opponents, 12-2, during that stretch. The Braves will take on Nicholls in Thibodaux, La., Thursday before traveling to Beaumont.
 
Saturday's match against Alcorn is slated to begin at 11 a.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
-LU CARDINALS-