Last season as a true freshman at the University of Virginia, Jordan Daigle was just another face in the crowd.
At most schools, a top ten recruit like Daigle would immediately receive playing time, but the defending national champions were full of top ranked recruits.
“I went in there hoping I was going to be able to play,” Daigle said.
Daigle not only played but also finished his first collegiate season with a 19-5 singles record and an 8-4 doubles record.
He ranked as high as No. 43 nationally in singles during the season and UVA finished the year ranked No. 4 according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings.
Despite all of the individual and team success, the Lafayette native said Virginia was not what he thought it would be.
“I realized that I want to be a part of something like turning a program around or being one of the reasons a program is succeeding instead of just adding to a legacy,” Daigle said.
After the year was over, Daigle asked UVA for his release and reopened his recruitment.
He spoke to University of Southern California, Georgia and LSU, but the Tigers presented him the opportunity he was looking for.
“I want to come here and with the other guys on the team create something new,” Daigle said.
LSU coach Jeff Brown said Daigle can bring his winning experience with the Cavaliers and spread it in Baton Rouge.
“I think if he sees one of these guys that didn’t have that same experience last year, he can probably lend some advice,” Brown said. “He’ll be a young leader, but I think he can lead by the fact that he has been on such a quality team.”
Even though he’s new to the team, Daigle is not afraid to be a leader.
“I knew a lot of the guys on the team from juniors and have been knowing them for a number of years,” Daigle said. “I don’t really feel like the new guy to be honest. The biggest goal for me is just to be with the team and try to get the team back where it belongs.”
Brown plans for Daigle to make an immediate influence on the court as well for the Tigers, getting action in higher parts of singles and doubles lineups.
Daigle left Virginia, but said he hopes the lessons he learned there can stay with him throughout his collegiate career.
“[Virginia] had a lot of seniors and a lot of juniors. You just kind of learn from those guys,” Daigle said. “You pick up different habits throughout the year. You learn how to do things the right way. You just learn how to win… then once you start winning it becomes a habit.”
It’s habit both Daigle and Brown are ready to bring back to the program.
“You just know how to win and that’s what he was a part of,” Brown said. “We got accustomed to that for a number of years and we’re looking to get back to that.”