Thibodaux, La. – The Lamar University women's team (4-13/2-6 Southland) put an end to a five-match slide Sunday afternoon by defeating Nicholls, 6-1, at the Colonel Tennis Complex in Thibodaux, La. It was a key match for the Cardinals who are trying to fight their way back into the Southland Conference playoff hunt – the Southland takes the top eight teams to the postseason tournament later this month.
 
Sunday's victory was a hard-fought match that saw LU and the Colonels battle through four three-set matches, with the Red and White taking the victory on all but one of those courts.
 
"I'm very proud of how we fought today," said LU head coach David Wong. "This was a very long, emotional match that could have gone either way, but our young ladies dug deep and found a way to win. I'm very proud of the effort."
 
The Cardinals stole the momentum early jumping out to quick leads on all three doubles courts. Big Red picked up the point with wins on courts 3 and 1, respectively. The Cardinals also had a 5-2 lead on court No. 2 before the match was halted.
 
The Cardinals never let off the accelerator in singles competition winning the first two matches. Freshman Milena Belianovich recorded one of the two straight-set victories with a 6-1, 6-4, decision over Changwei Wei on court No. 6. Moments later classmate Kaela Di Guilio gave the Cards an insurmountable lead with her straight-set winner at No. 4 singles.
 
Nicholls attempted to rally back at No. 1 singles when Stephanie Barnett stole a three-set decision at No. 1 singles over sophomore Jasmin Buchta. After dropping the opening set, 6-2, Buchta rallied in the second, 6-1, to force a third. Buchta simply ran out of steam in the final set dropping a 6-4 decision.
 
Barnett's court 1 victory would be the only point Nicholls could score as LU closed out the match strong. Freshmen Natalia Garcia Molina and Amelie Vosgaetter and sophomore Sanja Jolic closed out the match with wins on courts 5, 3 and 2, respectively for the victory. All three wins were three-set decisions.
 
The Cardinals return to action Tuesday when the travel to Lake Charles, La., to take on McNeese. The match against the Cowgirls will now start at 1 p.m.
 
-LU CARDINALS-