The LSU women’s tennis team stumbled to a 6-0 defeat to Rice on a windy Wednesday afternoon.

LSU was dominated all match, as Rice jumped out to earn the doubles point and never looked back, wining all but two sets the singles matches.

The match was forced to move indoors due to 35 miles per hour winds whipping through the stadium.

LSU coach Julia Sell cited the Tigers’ lack of experience on indoor courts and Rice’s home field advantage as factors in the Tigers’ loss.

“Moving indoors isn’t why we lost today, but it adds an element of difficulty that you have to adjust to,” Sell said in an email. “We only played on four courts with a very low ceiling so the flow of the match was different.”

Sell said the new indoor tennis facility that breaks ground this summer will be a boost to the Tigers going forward.

Senior Kaitlin Burns and freshman Ella Taylor were the only Tigers to win a set on the afternoon. Senior Ebie Wilson’s match was never started so the Tigers could get an early start on the trip back to Baton Rouge.

“We just have to continue to make adjustments,” Sell said. “Accountability and belief are the only things holding us back from winning this match and playing at a higher level.”

The top of the Tigers lineup continues to struggle, as no Tiger playing in the No. 1 spot has earned a victory in the last four matches.

The one bright spot for the Tigers on the afternoon was the continued winning form of the Wilson and senior Keri Frankenberger doubles combo. The duo is now 5-3 on the season and has recently taken over the No. 2 spot for the Tigers.

“They struggled in the beginning of the year because they weren’t making adjustments,” Sell said. “But in the past few matches they have turned it around, today was the best they have played all season.”

The Tigers will continue their march toward Southeastern Conference play this weekend when they take on Nicholls and Grambling in a Saturday doubleheader.

“Our conference is the strongest in the country,” Sell said. “Our matches from here on out will only get harder, and we are going to use this loss to improve and become better tennis players.”

“We just have to continue to make adjustments…accountability and belief are the only thins holding us back from winning this match and playing at a higher level.”