NEW ORLEANS, La. – It was a tough afternoon for the Lamar University tennis who dropped a 5-2 decision at New Orleans Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals, who were playing their first conference match after consecutive non-conference contests, dropped to 7-7 (.500) on the season and 0-4 in league contests.
 
The doubles competition came down to the bitter end with UNO and Lamar splitting the first two matches – the Privateers took No. 3 doubles while Big Red snagged No. 1 – forcing the decisive match for the point on court 2. Unfortunately, the LU duo of Asta Miettinen and Eva Gumenyuk dropped a 6-3 decision to Ananya Dhankhar and Kateryna Kalistratova to secure the point and the first lead of the day.
 
Miettinen got Lamar on the scoreboard in singles play. She made quick work of Nouray Metwally, 6-4, 6-4. Miettinen's victory trimmed the deficit to 2-1. Lamar also got a victory from Martina Alcaino – a three-setter at No. 4 singles – but that would be the final point as the Privateers held on for the overall win.
 
The Cardinals will look to get back in the win column Monday when they travel to Thibodaux, La., to take on Nicholls. The match against the Colonels will begin at 11 a.m.