BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's tennis team will step on the court Saturday for the first time since their thrilling one-point victory over New Orleans in the Southland Conference opener a week ago. When the Cardinals step on the court Saturday they will be taking a break from Southland Conference action to face Rice in their remaining non-conference match of the season. Saturday's match is slated to begin at 11 a.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
The Cardinals (6-13/1-0 SLC) have split their last four matches, but are coming off an impressive 4-3 decision to defeat New Orleans in their Southland Conference opening match. Big Red defeated the Privateers in a contest that came down to the last match of the day avenging a loss earlier in the season. The decisive point came down to freshman Joshua Taylor on court No. 5.
 
The Owls head to Beaumont looking to right the ship. After a hot start to the season that saw Rice win five straight and six of seven to open the year, the Owls have dropped four consecutive entering the week. The Owls are coming off a 4-2 setback to Utah State last week in Houston which wrapped up a three-match homestand.
 
The Cardinals enter the match looking for their first win in the series since the 2016 season. That year LU rolled the nation's 28^th-ranked squad defeating the Owls 4-1 at the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
The Cardinals return to conference play Thursday, April 4^th, when they travel to Abilene, Texas to take on Abilene Christian. The match against the Wildcats will begin at 11:44 a.m.