BEAUMONT, Texas – Entering the year as the reigning conference champions, Lamar University will take its first steps toward trying to get back to the top of the Southland Conference ladder Friday when they open play in the Islander Open. Three-day tournament will consist of players from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Abilene Christian, LU, Prairie View A&M, Sam Houston, Texas A&M-Kingsville, UIW and Tyler JC. The championship round matches being played on Sunday.
 
The season opening tournament will be a traditional fall format that will be played on an individual basis.
 
Despite the overall youth of the squad, the 2022-23 Cardinals will have four new players on the roster this season. The newcomers include Joan Crespo (5-11, Fr., Oberderdingen, Germany), Gustav Hasslegren (6-2, Fr., Taby, Sweden), Max Milic (6-1, Fr., Eulenbis, Germany) and Elias Peter (Alzey, Germany).
 
The newcomers join returning veterans Max Amling (6-0, So., Neustadt, Germany), Brandon Do (5-7, Jr., Nederland, Texas), Martin Garcia-Ripoll (6-1, So., Murcia, Spain), Haruki Omori-Cowie (5-11, So., Surrey, England), Filippo Salsini (5-9, Sr., Emilia-Romagna, Italy) and Johan Smith (5-8, So., Port Neches, Texas).
 
This group will look to build upon a very successful 2022 spring season that saw the Red and White post a 17-8 (.680) overall record and go undefeated in conference play to win the Western Athletic Conference title in their first, and only, year in the league.
 
The Islander Open will serve as one of three fall tournaments for Big Red a fall schedule that includes the Ron Wesbrooks Invitational (LU's lone home tournament during the fall) and the ITA Regional Championships in Waco late next month.