BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University has not had a match in nearly two weeks since their busy week in New York and New Jersey which saw LU play five matches in four days and walk away with a 3-2 (.600) record. The importance of each match now ticks up a notch as Big Red will open Southland Conference play Saturday at New Orleans.
 
The Cardinals (9-10/0-0 SLC) enter the weekend showdown playing their final two matches of what has been a nine-match, three-week stretch away from Beaumont. Lamar will open league play Saturday against New Orleans. The Privateers are 8-7 (.533) as they head into the conference opener, but they have fallen on hard times recently dropping four straight. In addition to the losses, they have been outscored 17-3 during that stretch. The Cardinals trail the all-time series to UNO, 16-17 (.485), a record that includes a 3-7 (.300) record in the Big Easy. The Privateers have won four of the previous five meetings, but this is the first meeting in New Orleans since the 2022-23 season. Saturday's match is set for a 10 a.m. start from the Privateer Tennis Center.
 
The Cardinals will then make the short trip to Thibodaux, La., two days later to face Nicholls. The Colonels are 4-6 (.400) on the year but are looking to bounce back from a five-match skid where they have been outscored, 24-2. Lamar leads the all-time series 15-12 (.556), a mark that includes an 11-8 (.579) tally in Thibodaux. Big Red has won four of the past five meetings. Monday's contest will begin at 1 p.m. from the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex.