BEAUMONT, Texas – After an impressive victory over the University of the Incarnate Word last time out, the Lamar University men's tennis team will look to make it consecutive wins when they step on the court Friday to face New Orleans.
 
The match against UNO is important for several reasons. First, it kicks off an important three-match stretch to close out Southland Conference play for the Cardinals (LU will close the regular season at home Saturday, April 17^th against Southern Miss in non-conference play). Second, the Privateers currently sit atop the league standings with a perfect 2-0 record. Finally, Wednesday's match serves as Senior Day for the Cardinals as LU will be honoring seniors Nicolas Mayr, Carlos Paton Canal and Joshua Sundaram before the match.
 
The Cardinals (8-7/1-1 SLC) have lost five of their previous six matches but are coming off an 6-1 win over UIW last time out. Prior to that, the Cardinals dropped a heartbreaking one-point decision to Abilene Christian that saw Joshua Taylor play in a three-set match (that had two tiebreaks) despite being injured in the contest.
 
The Cardinals enter the weekend currently fourth in the conference standings just a game back of ACU, and a half game up on Nicholls.
 
The Privateers have played just a handful of matches this season (seven) but have posted a 5-2 (.714) record in those contests and currently sit in the driver's seat for the regular season title. While UNO has won four straight and five of its last six matches, Wednesday's contest will be the team's second match since March 17^th – UNO has dealt with two postponements and one canceled match during that time
 
The series between the two schools is all evened up at 13 wins a piece, a record that includes a 6-3 mark for the Cardinals in Beaumont. Big Red has had the upper hand lately winning seven of the last eight meetings with the lone setback during that stretch coming in Baton Rouge, 4-3, in a non-conference matchup during the 2018-19 season.
 
Wednesday's match will begin at 2 p.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center, with the senior recognition slated for a 1:30 p.m. start.
 
Less than 48 hours after stepping on the court against New Orleans, the Cardinals will travel to Thibodaux, La., to face Nicholls. The Colonels are 4-7 (.364) on the season and 0-1 in conference play, but that match came nearly a month ago at Abilene. The Colonels have dropped five-straight matches and will face Southern Miss before stepping on the court against LU.
 
The Cardinals are 11-11 all-time against Nicholls but have won seven of the last eight meetings. The lone loss during that stretch came during the last meeting (2018-19) when LU dropped a one-point decision in Thibodaux. LU is 3-4 (.429) all-time against Nicholls in Beaumont.
Friday's match will begin at 11 a.m. from the Colonel Tennis Complex.