BEAUMONT, Texas – Over the course of the past decade, a rivalry has grown between Lamar University and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on the tennis courts. For years, the conference automatic bid to the NCAA Championships came down to a match between these two schools so it's only fitting that the Cardinals close the regular season Friday against the Islanders.
 
The Cardinals (10-10/2-2 SLC) have split their last six decisions with four of those being decided by a single point. A lot is riding on Friday's match because it will help determine seeding in the upcoming Southland Conference tournament. Currently, the Cardinals and Islanders are tied for third in the conference standings.
 
The Islanders are 14-7 (.667) on the season and have been playing some of their best tennis of the season lately. A&M-Corpus Christi has won five of the last six matches and two straight rolling into Friday's showdown.
 
Corpus Christi has won the last four meetings, but the LU had three of the previous five prior to that. Friday's match will begin at 3 p.m. from the Beaumont Municipal Tennis Complex.
 
Prior to the start of the match, LU will recognize it's lone senior Filippo Salsini.