LAKE CHARLES, La. – Lamar University took wins on courts Nos. 1 and 3 doubles taking an early 1-0 lead, but McNeese rallied for a 4-3 decision Monday afternoon. The loss drops Lamar to 10-8 on the season and 2-2 in Southland Conference play.
 
The contest was evenly matched right down the lineup as three singles courts went to a third set, with the Cowgirls walking away with two of those matches.
 
"No other way to say it but this is a tough loss," said LU head coach David Wong. "As the match progressed, I felt like we had our chances but just let them slip. I'm not sure how much closer it could get. The deciding match on court six went to a tiebreak in the third set. It's a tough loss but at the same time it's exactly how you would expect a rivalry to play out."
 
The Cardinals, who have now split their last six contests, jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after taking the doubles point, but the McNeese battled back in singles. The Cowgirls took the first singles match to finish before junior Ana Jolic put the Red and White back in front.
 
Jolic posted a straight-sets victory over McNeese's Tiana Fox, 6-4, 6-3, at the No. 3 spot. Unfortunately for LU, McNeese took the next two courts to grab a one-point advantage, 3-2. Sophomore Noelia Lorca put an end to the Cowgirls' run with her victory on court 2. She knocked off Heta Nuutinen, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, to tie the match.
 
The victory at No. 2 singles would be as close as the Cardinals would get as McNeese closed with a hard-fought three-set victory on the final court.
 
The Cardinals will need to quickly put this setback in the rearview mirror as Monday's match was the first of a very busy final week of the season. The Cardinals still have three matches remaining this week and return to action Wednesday against UIW. The match against the league's other Cardinals will begin at 11 a.m. from the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center.