BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University picked up two wins sweeping a doubleheader against Prairie View A&M Sunday afternoon at the Thompson Family Tennis Center. LU defeated the Panthers, 5-2, in the first match and returned in the second for 6-1 victory.
 
The Cardinals (6-2) extended their win streak to six straight after an 0-2 start to the year. It's the Cardinals longest win streak since the 2016-17 season.
 
Despite two impressive victories Sunday, the day didn't end without some tense moments. PVAMU took the first lead of the day after recording doubles victories on courts 1 and 3. Fortunately, LU didn't allow the Panthers to carry that momentum over into singles play.
 
Big Red tied the match mere minutes into singles competition after Prairie View's Jessica Lackey was forced to retire in the second game of the opening set. With the match tied, the Cardinals seized on the opportunity and grabbed the lead – a lead the Cardinals wouldn't surrender the rest of the day.
 
Junior Natalia Garcia Molina picked up a victory at No. 4 singles surrendering just one game to PVAMU's Mahogani Green in the two sets. The lead was pushed to 3-1 when freshman Denise Simonetti posted a 6-3, 6-0 victory over the Panthers' Salma Sanchez Villalobos.
 
The Cardinals didn't have to wait long to get the clinching point from senior Jasmin Buchta on court No. 1. The two teams split the remaining two matches for the final score.
 
In the second match, the Cardinals flipped the script on their guest by taking victories at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles for the point. It was in essence a two-point swing for the Cardinals because PVAMU was down a player in the second match.
 
With an early advantage, the Cardinals turned to the bottom half of their order for their next point. Freshman Ana Jolic made it a 3-0 lead with her victory over the Panthers' Green, 6-1, 6-0. It was one of seven sets that saw LU surrender one of fewer games to the Panthers.
 
Leading 3-0, the Cardinals didn't waste any time to lock up the sweep of PVAMU. The Red and White took the next three matches with Prairie View only managing a three-set win on court three.
 
The Cardinals return to action Friday, Feb. 28, when they open Southland Conference play against Central Arkansas. The match against the Bears will begin at 2 p.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.