NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Lamar University got singles victories from juniors Jasmin Buchta and Sanja Jolic Friday afternoon at Central Arkansas but came up short in the first Southland Conference match of the season. The Cards dropped a 5-2 decision at UCA.
 
"My hats off to Central Arkansas," said LU head coach David Wong. "That is a very talented team and they put together a very solid match this afternoon. Unfortunately, we struggled to get much going on courts 4 and 5 which really hurt after not winning the doubles point."
 
UCA took two of the three matches in doubles play and had a one-game lead on the final court, when play was finally halted. The Bears raced out to a 2-0 lead with their victory on court No. 2 before the Cardinals (3-8/0-1 SLC) could stem the tide.
 
Jolic was able to halt the UCA run to open the match with her victory at No. 3 singles. The junior picked up a straight-sets decision over the Bears' Mei Ishimura, 6-4, 6-1, to trim the deficit to one, 2-1. Unfortunately, UCA answered right back on the next court to finish – line 5 singles – to reclaim a two-point advantage.
 
It would be a lead the Bears wouldn't surrender as they added wins on courts 2 and 6, respectively, before the Cardinals got back on the scoreboard, including a heartbreaking three-set decision at No. 2 singles.  Buchta closed out the scoring with a three-set winner for the Red and White at No. 1 singles. Buchta rallied back in the third set after dropping a tough 7-5 decision in the second to post a 7-5, 5-7, 6-3, victory over UCA's Chunxi Xin.
 
The Cardinals will now make the tough journey south to Natchitoches, La., to face Northwestern State. The match against the Demons will tip off at 11 a.m. from the Jack Fisher Lady Demons Tennis Complex.