EDINBURG, Texas – Lamar University picked up singles wins at Nos. 2, 3 and 6 singles, but had two three-set decisions go against them as they dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision at UT Rio Grande Valley Sunday afternoon.
 
"This was a very disappointing match," said LU head coach David Wong. "We struggled to keep the ball in play on courts one, four and five and that hurt us. Hats off to UTRGV, I thought they played extremely well.
 
"We had some strong performances from Sanja Jolic, Bianca Vitale and Amelie Vossgaetter. I thought those three fought hard and did a very good job of sticking with the gameplan," added Wong.
 
It was a tough start for the Cardinals (1-7) who fell behind 1-0 after dropping matches at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles. Unfortunately, the Cardinals had a slim one-game lead at No. 2 doubles but the match was halted when the point was awarded.
 
Big Red was able to tie the match at one win apiece following sophomore Amelie Vossgaetter's straight-sets victory at No. 6 singles. Vossgaetter was dominant recording a 6-3, 6-0, decision over Sandra Putz.
 
After UTRGV reclaimed a one-point lead, the Cardinals rattled off consecutive wins at Nos. 3 and 2 singles, respectively, to take their first lead of the day, 3-2. Junior Sanja Jolic started the rally run with a 6-1, 7-5, victory over the Vaqueros' Doris Aleksovska. Junior Bianca Vitale followed suit with a straight-sets decision over Michelle Walker, 6-3, 7-5, at No. 2 singles.
 
The Cardinals had their chances to pull out the overall team victory, but Big Red was unable to close out the match. The Cardinals were locked in three-set matches on both courts four and five winning the first set on both courts but came up just short.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Wednesday, Feb. 20^th, when they host Prairie View A&M in a doubleheader. The first match of the doubleheader will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the second at 2 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Thompson Family Tennis Center.