Box Score THIBODAUX, La.  – Lamar University had to battle from an early deficit, and had to survive three three-set matches, but that was the formula for the Cardinals defeating Nicholls, 4-3, Sunday afternoon to pick up a victory in their Southland Conference opener.
 
The Colonels took the first lead of the day by winning matches at lines 1 and 2 doubles (despite dropping the first set to the Red and White). LU responded with wins at Nos. 1 and 6 singles to take their first lead, 2-1. Sophomore Max Amling took care of Omar Morsy at the No. 1 spot, 6-3, 6-2, while Brandon Do did the same thing – with almost identical scores – at No. 6 against the Colonels' Antonio Sasso, 6-3, 6-2.
 
Unfortunately, Nicholls had an answer of its own taking the next two matches to finish, including a three-setter on court four. The Colonels' consecutive wins backed LU into a corner. Lamar needed wins on the two remaining courts to pull out the overall victory. Adding to the stress of the moment, the two teams split the opening sets.
 
Senior Filippo Salsini dropped his second set to Ilian Borlee before rallying to win the third set and the match, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to tie the overall contest at 3. It was lights out for Nicholls after that as sophomore Martin Garcia-Ripoll rallied from an opening-set loss to take the second set in a tiebreaker then went on to win the third. Garcia-Ripoll recorded scores of 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, to win his match at lock up the team victory.
 
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they play their final non-conference match of the season. Big Red will take on Illinois-Chicago at 10 a.m.