BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University kicked off a busy week of matches Sunday with a noon contest against UTEP, but the Miners managed to escape with a 4-3 victory. The loss drops the Cardinals to 6-5 (.545) on the season.
 
Sunday's match was not only close in terms of the final score, but each individual court was a battle. The doubles point was forced to go the distance as the first two courts split and in singles the two squads played three three-set matches and one set that forced to a tiebreak.
 
The Miners snagged the first lead of the day taking wins on courts 1 and 3 to earn the doubles point. UTEP's victory came after the duo of sophomore Saloni Tamang and Natalia Turczuk defeated UTEP's Hanna Telzynska and Paloma Hennicaux, 6-3, at the No. 2 spot.
 
The Cardinals responded immediately in singles competition as freshman Nouray Metwally made quick work of DeCora Antoine. Metwally disposed of her opponent, 6-1, 6-4, tying the match at one.
 
Unfortunately, UTEP moved back in front with a victory at No. 1 singles, but the advantage was short lived as sophomore Megan Do had the equalizer. The Nederland native defeated Elena Dibattista, 6-3, 6-4, at No. 3 singles.
 
With the match tied at 2, one team would need to win two of the final three courts for the overall victory. The Cardinals fired the first shot when junior Elena Rubio recorded a three-set victory over Zuzanna Szczepanska, 1-6, 7-5, 6-0, at No. 4 singles.
 
Rubio handed Lamar its first lead of the day and put the Cards in a position of needing just one win on the final two courts for the overall victory. Both courts were headed to a third set and unfortunately, UTEP managed to take both matches for the win.
 
The Cardinals have no time to sit around think about Sunday's setback as they return to action Tuesday with a 9 a.m. match against North Dakota. The match against the Fighting Hawks is set for a 9 a.m. start from the Thompson Family Tennis Center.