While many LSU students will spend the next several days indulging in the festivities of Mardi Gras, the women’s tennis team will be defending its perfect record.

The Lady Tigers (4-0) will travel to California to face the University of California, Irvine (3-3) at 11 a.m. Saturday and Long Beach State (2-1) at 1:30 p.m. Monday for their longest road trip of the season.

LSU is still recovering from a long match against Tulane Wednesday night. Head coach Julia Sell said although a late night does not make the trip any easier, it’s something that the Lady Tigers will have to work through.

“It’s all part of the grind,” Sell said.”The [ladies] have been here before, and our veterans will have to help make sure we stay on track [this weekend].”

Assistant coach Amine Boustani said one of the challenges for LSU will be the dramatic differences in the climate. The lack of humidity will make the courts’ play much faster than in Louisiana, he said.

The Lady Tigers have gotten a boost this season from a surprising source: freshman Ella Taylor. She has been the most consistent LSU player so far, winning all four of her singles matches, and she has gradually played on higher courts since the start of the season.

“[Taylor] has played really well for us, especially for a freshman,” Sell said. “We will depend on her to keep winning matches for us this weekend.”