BEAUMONT, Texas – After three non-conference matches last week, the Lamar University women's tennis team returns to Southland Conference play Sunday with a home match against Central Arkansas. The Cardinals will be back in action a week later when they travel to Sam Houston State Saturday, Mar. 31, to take on the Bearkats.
 
The Cardinals (3-11/1-4 SLC) enter the week 11^th in the Southland standings a match up in the loss column over Stephen F. Austin, but there is a log jam in the conference standings. Four league teams are currently tied with one victory, and three others tied with two. With a win on Saturday, LU could move into a tie for seventh and be back in the mix for the conference tournament coming up at the end of the year.
 
In addition to trying to climb back up the Southland ladder, the Cardinals are also looking to put an end to a three-match slide. The Cardinals are coming off a 7-0 setback at No. 34 Texas A&M Wednesday in College Station.
 
Central Arkansas only has two conference victories in 2018, but currently sit third in the league standings with a perfect 2-0 league record. The Sugar Bears (9-2/2-0 SLC) with the best overall winning percentage in the Southland (9-2/.818), and have won nine straight after opening the season 1-2. The Sugar Bears are coming off a 4-3 decision over UTSA last time out.
 
Sunday's match has been pushed back an hour from the original schedule and will now start a 1 p.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
The Cardinals enter the weekend competition two back of Sam Houston State. The Bearkats (8-4/3-2 SLC) are currently fifth in the league standings, a match back of McNeese and one up on New Orleans, Abilene Christian and Southeastern Louisiana.
 
SHSU has won three of its past four outings, but is coming off a narrow one-point setback at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 4-3. Sam Houston will take on Central Arkansas Saturday in Huntsville before hosting the Red and White.
 
-LU CARDINALS-