BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University got out to a quick start Sunday against McNeese and rode that momentum to victory defeating their rivals, 4-3, at the Thompson Family Tennis Center. For LU (4-9/1-2 SLC) it was their third win in their past five matches.
 
"I'm very proud of our young ladies tonight," said LU head coach David Wong. "I thought we came out with a lot of intensity and opened strong in doubles. We carried that into singles and built a strong lead, but we knew McNeese would battle back. That is a very good team, but our ladies wanted it more today."
 
The Cardinals wasted no time jumping out to a 1-0 lead after picking up wins at Nos. 2 and 1 doubles, respectively. After picking up one of the team's two doubles wins, junior Bianca Vitale extended the Cardinals lead with a straight-sets decision at No. 2 singles. Vitale posted scores of 6-3 and 6-4 to defeat the Cowgirls' Giovanna Fioretti.
 
The Cowgirls didn't go away without a fight battling back to tie up the match at 2 after wins at Nos. 4 and 3 singles, respectively. The Red and White didn't panic but turned to the bottom part of their lineup to restore order in the match. Freshman Laura Sola Grau put the Cards back out in front with her 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, victory over McNeese's Stella Carra. Sola Grau's win put LU within a point of the overall victory.
 
"I'm very proud of my freshman today," said Wong. "She has been placed in some very tough situations this year, but really stepped up to the challenge this afternoon. It's these kind of matches that will really help her as she moves throughout her career."
 
The Cardinals didn't have to wait long for that victory. Sophomore Amelie Vosgaetter put an end to any thoughts of a McNeese rally when she posted a three-set decision over Charlotte Ziegler. Vossgaetter was shutout in the opening set but battled back for a 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, victory.
 
McNeese closed out the scoring with a victory at No. 1 singles, but LU finished the day with the overall win.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The match against the Islanders will begin at 1 p.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.