Box Score DENVER, Colo. – Lamar University's trip to the Mile High City got off to a rough start Saturday dropping a 4-1 score to Cal Poly. The loss ended Big Red's bid for a three-match win streak and drops LU to 6-11 (.352) on the season.
 
The Mustangs grabbed a 1-0 lead following doubles play after picking up wins on lines 1 and 2. It was unfortunate the Cards didn't manage a victory on the first two courts after holding a 6-5 lead at No. 1 when the match was halted.
 
Despite the deficit, the Cardinals rallied quickly to open singles play. Sophomore Axel Vila Antuna opened his match at No. 1 singles quickly and never looked back. After recording an opening-set 6-3 victory over the Mustangs' Antoine Noel, Vila Antuna wasted little time closing the door in the second. Vila Antuna ended the match with a 6-1 score in the second to even match at 1.
 
Cal Poly responded with a victory on court No. 2 to reclaim the lead. The victory at the No. 2 position set off an unfortunate set events for the Red and White. After Cal Poly took a 3-1 at No. 5 singles, freshman Fillipo Salsini fought his way into tiebreak in the opening set at No. 4. Unfortunately, he dropped that set 7-5 in the extra frame.
 
While Salsini was down a set, junior Nicolas Mayr battled back in the second set to force a third, and freshman Blessing Benibo battled back in the second set of his match and looked poise to force a third. The Cardinals were in contention for points on both courts but the matches were halted as the Mustangs' Fernando Fonseca was able to pick up a second-set decision for the fourth and deciding point.
 
The Cardinals have to put Saturday's setback behind them as they return to the court Sunday to host Denver in a 1 p.m. (noon Beaumont time) match.