BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University men's tennis team steps back on the court Thursday to open Southland Conference play with an important three-match homestand. The first three league matches come during a seven-day stretch that will see the Cardinals host Abilene Christian (Thursday, April 1), UIW (Saturday, April 3) and New Orleans (Wednesday, April 7).
 
The Cardinals are 7-6 (.538) so far this season in what has turned out to be a roller coaster of a year. After dropping two matches (to No. 15 Baylor and Rice) to open the season, the Cardinals bounced back with seven consecutive wins before dropping their last four matches to very tough opponents – including a rematch with then No. 3 Baylor at home.
 
Abilene Christian has had a rough start to the season entering the week with a 6-11 (.353) overall record and currently third in the league standings with a 1-2 (.333) mark. The Wildcats have lost three straight and six of the previous seven matches, and are coming off a 6-1 setback at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Friday. ACU's lone win during that stretch was a 5-2 decision over Nicholls.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over ACU, 12-9 (.571), but ACU has won the previous two meetings. Prior to the last two matches, the Cardinals had won seven of the previous eight contests. Big Red is 4-3 all-time against ACU in Beaumont. Thursday's match is slated to begin at 3 p.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
The Cardinals return to the court less than 48 hours later to host UIW. The league's other Cardinals are the only other team to not have opened conference play. San Antonio's version of the Cardinals are 3-5 (.375) on the season and have dropped two of their previous three matches. UIW's biggest issue this season has just been able to get on the court. Prior to their previous three matches, the Cardinals had six of their previous seven contests postponed.
 
Big Red holds a slim 4-3 advantage in the series, but has dropped each of the past two meetings. Saturday's contest is slated to begin at 11 a.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.
 
The Cardinals will close out the three match homestand Wednesday, April 7 against New Orleans. UNO is currently 4-2 (.667) on the season and in a two-way tie for first in the league standings with a 1-0 record. The Privateers have also had their share of problems getting on the court in 2021 with their last three scheduled matches having been postponed or canceled. UNO is slated to host UIW Thursday before traveling to Beaumont.
 
The series against New Orleans is all knotted up at 13 wins a piece, but the Cardinals have had the upper hand lately winning seven of the last eight meetings. LU is 6-3 (.667) all-time against the Privateers in Beaumont. Wednesday's match is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in Beaumont.