BEAUMONT, Texas – Led by reigning Southland Conference Player of the Week, Axel Vila Antuna, the Lamar University Cardinals will kick off an eight-match road swing beginning Friday with their match at UT-Arlington. The UTA match will be the first of a trip that will see LU face opponents in Texas, Okla., and California.
 
The Cardinals (2-5) enter the week having won two of their past three matches and coming off a 4-3 victory over UT Rio Grande Valley. It was a thrilling victory that saw the Red and White jump out to a 2-0 lead only to see the Vaqueros take a 3-2 advantage heading into the final two singles matches. The Cardinals wound up winning the final two matches in three sets. The win was so impressive, Vila Antuna garnered SLC Player of the Week honors for his victories at No. 1 singles and doubles.
 
UTA enters the week with a 4-3 overall record and have recorded consecutive shutouts since a 5-2 setback at nationally ranked TCU. The Mavericks' last two wins have come against Dallas Baptist and Cameron – both by 4-0 scores. Due to forecasted rain in the Arlington area, Friday's match has been moved to a new location. Instead of playing on the UTA campus, the match has been moved to the indoor courts of the Lifetime Fitness Complex in Plano. The teams will take to the courts at 8 a.m. for warmups with the expected start time of 8:45 a.m.
 
Following the match, the Cardinals will travel further north to take on Valparaiso just 24 hours later. The match against the Crusaders will take place in Tulsa, Okla. The Crusaders are 4-2 (.667) on the year and have won two of their past three outings but are coming off a 5-2 loss against Denver. Valpo will take on Oral Roberts before facing LU.
 
The Cards will have a quick turnaround to get ready for Oral Roberts. Less than 24 hours after their match with Valpo, Big Red will step on the court against ORU. The Eagles (1-3) have dropped three-straight contests after a season-opening victory against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. ORU will face Valparaiso before taking on the Red and White.