BEAUMONT, Texas – After a frantic pace in the first two weeks of the season, the Lamar University men's team slowed things down getting a week to prepare for one match. The opponent for that match is UT Rio Grande Valley.
 
The Cardinals travel to Edinburg, Texas, Friday looking to get back to .500 on the season. Big Red enters the week at 3-4 on the year after an opening two weeks of competition that has seen away matches at Baylor, Arkansas and Oklahoma State just to name a few. Friday's match also ends an eight-match stretch away from Beaumont to open the season.
 
The Vaqueros are 3-3 (.500) on the season. After dropping a season-opening doubleheader at Oklahoma State, UTRGV has rebounded to win three of its next four matches.
 
One of the longest running series in school history, LU and the Vaqueros have met 56 times overall in a series that dates back to the 1968 season. The Vaqueros (who were originally called the UT Pan American Broncs) lead the all-time series, 32-24, which includes a 6-4 mark in Edinburg.
 
Despite trailing in the all-time series, the Cardinals have turned the momentum in their favor since head coach Scott Shankles arrival. Big Red has won three of the last four meetings and nine of the last 11 since the 2011 season.
 
Friday's match is slated to begin at 10 a.m. from the Orville I. Cox Tennis Center.