HOUSTON, Texas – Lamar University's match at Rice was pushed back and forced indoors due to the cold temperatures in Houston Sunday afternoon, and in the end it wasn't meant to be for the Cardinals who dropped a 4-0 decision at the Downtown Tennis Club at the Met.
 
The Owls jumped out to the quick 1-0 lead in doubles play taking matches on courts 3 and 1, respectively. The match on court two was stopped as soon as Rice secured the point.
 
The two teams then transitioned to singles where the Owls needed just three wins for the victory. Rice turned to the bottom half of its lineup where they took early leads on courts 4-6.
 
The Cardinals were trying to fight their way back into the match at Nos. 1 and 2 singles. On court 2, freshman Leon Nickel forced Rice's Trinity Greer into a tiebreak in the opening set, while Max Amling was taking his opponent, Yasha Zemel to a third set.
 
Unfortunately, those matches, and the match at No. 3 singles would not be finished as Rice closed out the match with wins at Nos. 4, 5 and 6, respectively.
 
After four matches on the road to start the year, the Cardinals (0-4) will finally get to play in front of their home fans Saturday when they take on Alcorn State. The match against Braves will be a doubleheader with the first match set for a 10 a.m. start, followed by the second at 2 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Thompson Family Tennis Center.