THIBODAUX, La. – For the second time this week a Lamar University tennis team had to battle a rain delay at the Southland Conference Tennis Championships shortly after the conclusion of the doubles point, and unfortunately, NJIT managed to hold its momentum from doubles to defeat the Cardinals, 4-1.
 
The Highlanders jumped out to the early 1-0 lead after taking all three doubles matches, but Lamar responded in singles. Freshmen Fabian Anthin (No. 3 singles) and Louis Drapeau (No. 6) took the opening sets in their respective matches, while at the same time sophomore Leon Nickel (No. 1) and senior Haruki Omori-Cowie (No. 2) forced a tiebreaker in their opening sets.
 
Unfortunately, NJIT took the win in both tiebreakers, but Anthin continued to press NJIT's Os Callo Von Platen on court three. After winning the first set, 6-4, Anthin jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second. He managed to hold off his opponent putting the Cardinals on the scoreboard with the equalizer. Anthin closed out his match with a 6-3, 6-2 decision at No. 3 singles.
 
Unfortunately, NJIT grabbed victories in the second set of courts 4 and 5 to push the overall lead to 3-1. The clinching point came at No. 1 where Nickel dropped a heartbreaking two-setter to the Highlanders Pablo Ramos. Both sets went to a tie break with NJIT recording the 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) decision.
 
The loss ends Lamar's season at 14-13 overall.