BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University swept Alcorn State in a season-opening doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the Thompson Family Tennis Center. The Cardinals (2-0) defeated the Lady Braves, 7-0, in both matches with dominant performance on several individual courts.
 
Lamar didn't surrender a set in the two matches and finished the day with seven sets that finished in a shutout, to go along with numerous others where Big Red only surrendered two or fewer games.
 
After the Cardinals took the doubles points in the opening match, they turned to the bottom half of their lineup to bring the match home. With five of the six singles courts being held down by newcomers, it was Natalia Turczuk who put the first singles point on the scoreboard. She defeated Alcorn's Olivia Villanueva-Lopez, 6-1, 6-0.
 
With Turczuk's win, Lamar needed just two more victories to lock up the overall victory. The Red and White didn't have to wait long to celebrate as Megan Do got the third win at No. 3, and the clincher came from Martina Alcaino as she defeated Aanya Rao, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 6. LU closed out the match by taking the final two courts.
 
It was the same script in the second match as LU raced out to a 1-0 victory in doubles. Just like in the first match, Lamar got the deciding victories from courts 3, 5 and 6. It was Do who got the first singles win followed by Alcaino at No. 6 singles. Turczuk closed out the overall win with a 6-0, 6-0, victory over Rao.
 
The Cardinals return to action Sunday, Feb. 4, when they host Idaho. The match against the Vandals will begin at 10 a.m. from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.