BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's tennis team prepares to open a tough non-conference road stretch before the start of Southland Conference play that begins Friday with a match at New Mexico State followed by a contest at UTEP two days later.  The Cardinals are 2-4 (.333) on the season have dropped three straight. Lamar enters the stretch shorthanded down three players due to injury.
 
The Aggies are 6-3 (.667) through nine matches and have been rolling lately winning their last three by a combined 21-0 score. Friday's contest marks the sixth time the two teams have met with NMSU holding a 4-1 (.800) series advantage, but it will be the first meeting since 2014. The Cardinals enter the match looking for their first win since the 2008 season. Friday's match is slated for a noon start from the NM State Tennis Center.
 
LU will be in El Paso 48 hours later to face UTEP. The Miners have jumped out to a quick start in the 2025 season. UTEP is 3-1 on the year outscoring opponents 15-1 in their three victories. Saturday marks the second-straight season the two schools have met on the court with the Miners holding a 5-3 (.625) all-time series advantage. The Cardinals head into the match up looking for their first win since the 2011 season. UTEP will host New Mexico Friday before taking on the Red and White. The match is set for a 10 a.m. start from the El Paso Tennis Club.
 
The Cardinals will follow up the road trip with home matches against Arkansas State and Southern Mississippi later this month before kicking off Southland Conference play.