BEAUMONT, Texas - Returning home after a close match at Central Arkansas and a postponement at Northwestern State, Lamar University's women's tennis team is back in Southland Conference play this Friday and Sunday. The Cards will host Southeastern Louisiana on Friday at the Beaumont Municipal Complex at 11 a.m. and McNeese on Sunday at the Thompson Family Tennis Center.

The Cardinals (3-8, 0-1 SLC) had packed the team van and were mid-way through the journey from Little Rock, Ark., to Natchitoches, La., when they were informed that their match against Northwestern State was postponed with no makeup date in sight. This came after a 5-2 setback against the Sugar Bears of Central Arkansas that saw LU come close to an overall victory to come just short in singles play.

Southeastern comes to Beaumont with a 3-6 overall record and an 0-1 mark in SLC play, having lost four consecutive matches at Louisiana-Monroe (4-1), at Santa Clara (4-0), at Cal State Northridge (4-0), and at home against Abilene Christian (4-3). The Lions were supposed to play Incarnate Word last Sunday only to have it rescheduled to March 23 due to rain.

McNeese is 6-4 overall this season and 1-0 in Southland action with a five-match win streak. The Cowgirls swept Prairie View and Alcorn State, took down UTSA 6-1 in San Antonio, won 4-3 at Texas State, and opened SLC play with a sweep of Incarnate Word. McNeese also barely edged out Tyler Junior College at home, 4-3, in an exhibition match. Rain also plagued the Cowgirls last Sunday with a postponement of their match against ACU but McNeese should be able to fit in a March 8 match at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Three more home matches are on the docket after Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese come to town this weekend. A&M-Corpus Christi will visit the Thompson Family Tennis Center on March 16 and be followed by Stephen F. Austin on March 29 and Sam Houston State on March 31. The Cardinals' next road match comes on April 5 at noon against ACU.