LAKE CHARLES – The McNeese women's tennis team will be back in action this weekend as the Cowgirls begin Southland Conference play on the road with a pair of matches that begins at Sam Houston State on Saturday at 1 o'clock followed by Lamar at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
 
McNeese (4-4, 0-0 SLC) has been red hot lately picking up victories in four of its last five matches, including wins against Louisiana-Lafayette and Air Force. The Cowgirls were scheduled to open league play last weekend before rain postponed the match until March 19.
 
Junior Klaudia Gawlik is leading the way for the Cowgirls after a strong weekend led her to SLC Player of the Week honors. Gawlik has won four straight singles matches and has picked up two victories in doubles action.
 
Sophomore Julia Kral leads McNeese in overall wins with a 5-1 mark in singles and a 4-1 record in doubles play. Junior Anastasija Trubich has also won her last two singles matches as well as freshman Hannah Brett who is now 4-3 on the year.
 
The team of Vivien Borbely and Sarah Jurakova has lit up the courts in doubles competition as the two have won three matches so far on the season.
 
Sam Houston State (0-8, 0-2 SLC) has struggled as of late after having dropped five matches in a row, including its two opening league matches at Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans. The Bearkats' only victory this season came in an exhibition match against Tyler Junior College.
 
Lamar (3-6, 0-2 SLC) is riding a four-game skid after falling to New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana in opening conference play last weekend. The match against McNeese will be the Cardinals' first home contest since Feb. 8.
 
Following the weekend, McNeese will return home to face Nicholls on Thursday, March 19 at 2 p.m. before battling Central Arkansas on Saturday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at the Nancy Hank Tennis Center.