BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's tennis team is preparing for its final two home matches of the season, despite having another month before the start of the Southland Conference Championship tournament. Big Red returns to the court Friday to host Stephen F. Austin followed by Sam Houston State for Senior Day on Sunday. Both matches will begin at 2 p.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
For Big Red, the two-match homestand is a pivotal stretch for a squad trying to lock down a spot in next month's Southland Conference Championships. The Cardinals (4-11/1-4 SLC) are currently 10^th in the league standings but sit just half game back of New Orleans (who they still have on the schedule) and just a game back of Southeastern Louisiana and SFA.
 
The Cardinals have dropped four of their last five matches and are coming off their most heartbreaking finish of the season. Despite being down a starter (No. 2 singles Bianca Vitale), the Red and White pushed the Southland leaders to the brink falling by just a point. An upset of Northwestern State would've flipped the balance of power in the league race on its side as the Demons remain undefeated on the season.
 
Friday's opponent – Stephen F. Austin – is trying to hold on to the eighth and final playoff spot while holding off the Cardinals' climb up the ladder. The Ladyjacks (6-8/2-3 SLC) have won two of their past three matches but are coming off a 4-0 loss at Louisiana Tech. SFA's two league wins came back at the beginning of the conference schedule against Nicholls and Incarnate Word.
 
The Bearkats remain in the hunt for a Southland regular-season title. Sam Houston (10-4/4-1 SLC) is currently third in the league standings just a half game back of Abilene Christian and a game back of Northwestern State. Winners of three straight and seven of their past eight, SHSU will face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Friday in Corpus Christi before traveling to Beaumont.
 
The Cardinals will recognize their lone senior, Priscilla Garza, at 1:30 p.m. prior to Sunday's match against the Bearkats. Both matches will take place at the Thompson Family Tennis Center on the LU campus and will begin at 2 p.m. Admission is free to the public.