BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University women's tennis team played their first Southland Conference match and suffered a tough defeat to Central Arkansas on Friday afternoon. The Cardinals battled hard until the end, but they ended up falling 5-2. The loss snaps LU's six-match win streak. 

The Cardinals got off to a tough start in doubles, losing 6-3 on court 1 and 6-0 on court 2. 

A loss on court 4 put UCA up 2-0, but senior Bianca Vitale helped her team to their first point on court 2. She played a tough first set and managed to get a 7-6 win. After that close set, Vitale put her opponent away. The second set was over quickly with Vitale taking it 6-0. 

After dropping points on courts 3, 1, and 6 the Bears had the victory, but Lamar still had one more match to finish. After losing her first set 7-5, sophomore Laura Sola Grau swung her way to a second set victory 6-3. She continued her momentum into the third set and won 6-3. 
 

Overall, it was a tough day on the courts for the Cardinals, losing 5-2. However, this was the first of 11 Southland Conference matches.

The Cardinals will be swinging at home again on Sunday, March 1 as they take on another conference opponent, Northwestern State. The match is set to start at 11 A.M. at the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 

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