BEAUMONT, Texas – A defending conference champion, the Lamar University men's tennis team embarks on a new season looking for its second-straight conference title, but in a new league. Back in the Southland Conference, Lamar University team opens a new season with three matches over the next two days. The Cardinals kick off the new year with a doubleheader Saturday at Prairie View A&M followed by a Sunday morning match at Baylor.
 
The Cardinals enter the new season after a 17-6 (.680) 2022 campaign that saw them go 6-0 in Western Athletic Conference play to win the WAC regular season title. The Cards open the season against a PVAMU squad that is looking to bounce back from a 2-23 (.080) season. The Panthers have a small head start on the Cardinals having already played two matches this season.
 
The Panthers had a tough start to the year dropping a doubleheader to a very tough SMU squad Thursday. The Mustangs won both matches by a score of 7-0.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over Prairie View holding a 25-1 (.962) record, with the lone setback coming back in the 2006 season. Big Red has won 20 straight in a series that originally began in 1986. The Cardinals are 10-1 all-time in matches played in Prairie View.
 
Saturday's first match will get started at 10 a.m., with the second match of the doubleheader slated to get underway at 2 p.m.
 
Big Red will then travel to Waco, Texas for am 11 a.m. match at Baylor. The Bears are looking for some similar magic to last year that led to a 29-4 (.880) overall record and a trip to the Sweet 16 before their season came to an end in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
 
The Cardinals are 5-13 (.278) all-time against Baylor in a series that originally started in 1973. LU has never defeated Baylor in Waco (0-8). Sunday's match is slated for an 11 a.m. start.