BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University swept a doubleheader from Collin College Sunday afternoon at the Thompson Family Tennis Center in two very contrasting styles. Lamar shutout Collin, 7-0, in the opening match, but the Cougars adjusted their lineup during the break and put up a strong fight second only to fall, 4-3.
 
The Cardinals improved to 7-4 (.636) overall on the season with the two wins and have now won seven of the last nine.
 
Lamar was dominant in the opening match taking all three matches in doubles play to secure the point. The only close match came at the No. 1 position where it went to a tiebreak but the duo of Fabian Anthin and Leon Nickel held on for the 7-6 (7-4) victory.
 
Freshman Louis Drapeau gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead with his 6-2, 6-2, decision over Collin's Cem Atlamis at No. 3 singles. Moments later Lukas Hamacher gave LU a 3-0 lead with his straight-sets victory at the No. 5 spot. While Lamar won the remaining four matches for the shutout the deciding victory came from junior Guy Dagan at No. 6 singles. He defeated Collin's Cristobal Tellez, 6-4, 6-4, for the fourth point.
 
In the second match, the Cougars drew first blood taking victories on courts 1 and 2 doubles by identical 6-4 scores to secure a 1-0 lead, but the Cardinals battled back in singles to take their first lead. Hamacher defeated Cristobal Tellez at the No. 6 position, 6-4, 6-0, to tie the match then sophomore Steffano Chappuis followed suit with a 6-3, 6-1, decision over Collin's Luke Stula to give the Red and White a 2-1 advantage.
 
Despite LU moving out in front, they still had to battle for the win as Collin forced a third set on court No. 1 and 2 singles, and Lamar would need both courts to decide the overall match. After the Cougars jumped back in front Nickel posted a dominant performance in the third set to defeat Collin's Jose Castillo, 6-4, 2-6, 6-0.
 
Nickel's match placed everything on the shoulders of Anthin at No. 1 singles. With the two players splitting the first two sets, Anthin broke Collin's Minjae Kim in the ninth game to be able to serve for the win. Anthin prevailed, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.
 
The Cardinals return to action Friday when they travel to Abilene, Texas to take on Abilene Christian. The match against the Wildcats will begin at 10 a.m.