BEAUMONT, Texas – One quick look at the results from Friday's match between Lamar University and UT Rio Grande Valley and fans would assume that the Cardinals cruised to their third conference win of the season, to remain undefeated. Looks can be deceiving.
 
The Cardinals did in fact beat UTRGV by five, a score in tennis that represents a one-sided affair, but four of the courts went to a third set, and LU had to rally from third deficits on all four of those courts.
 
The Cardinals took the lead in doubles by winning all three matches, but doubles were a microcosm for what was to come. Although the Cardinals took all three courts, the match at line 1 had to go to a tiebreaker before being decided.
 
Freshman Daniel Sancho Arbizu gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead with his straight-set winner on court 1, and that came right before the Vaqueros got on the scoreboard by taking the first of the three-set matches at No. 5 singles.
 
Displaying poise, Big Red bounced back on court 3 when freshman Max Amling put away UTRGV's George Hutchings, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3, to reclaim a two-point lead. That is when things really started to tighten up with two of the three remaining courts in third sets, and LU trailing both of those.
 
Fortunately, freshman Juan Jose Rodriguez came through with a victory on court 2 to put the match away, but that didn't put an end to all the drama. The Cardinals took a 5-1 lead with freshman Brandon Do still playing on court 6.
 
After taking the opening set, Do found himself in a world of hurt in the third, trailing 5-3. With his back against the wall, Do responded by playing some of his best tennis of the season. The Nederland native rallied to win the final four games to defeat the Vaqueros' Chris Lawrence, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action Sunday when they return to action to host Abilene Christian. The match against the Wildcats is slated to begin at 11 a.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.