LSU’s tennis program opened its season with wins in Baton Rouge and Houston, Texas.
For the Lady Tigers, their season-opening doubleheader was the first occasion many fans were able to witness 2014’s fresh talent compete at W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium.
Freshmen Abigail Owens, Skylar Holloway and Joana Vale Costa made their home debuts on Sunday afternoon as No. 66 LSU swept its competition.
The three newcomers helped the Lady Tigers (2-0) defeat Nicholls State 4-2 and Southern 5-1. The only loss against the Jaguars came from senior Ariel Morton’s forfeit.
For Costa, Sunday were her first matches for LSU. The Portugal native didn’t waste anytime notching her first victory either as she and Holloway’s 6-1 doubles win against Nicholls’ Isla Brock and Emma Kranendonk kickstarted a day that would be dominated by the Lady Tigers.
Throughout Sunday, Costa and Holloway won every match in both doubles and singles.
“[Costa] just arrived two weeks ago so she’s the one that’s kind of been running around crazy and trying to adjust,” said Coach Julia Sell. “I was really impressed with what she did today and Skylar kept her calm the whole way through.”
For a squad with three freshmen competing, staying composed was a question Sell had for the Lady Tigers going into Sunday. But Owens put that doubt to rest as she clinched both the Nicholls and Southern matches with respective scores of 6-4, 6-4 and 6-2, 6-2.
Every Lady Tiger recorded at least one win on Sunday while the three freshmen swept their opponents in doubles and singles.
“Skylar and Abby [Owens] were nails today,” Sell said. “We were a little bit nervous at times … They got better and better with each set.”
As day moved to night, LSU improved. Sophomore Ella Taylor bounced back from an early afternoon loss by defeating Southern’s Gabrielle Moore 6-0, 6-0 to help LSU round out its doubleheader.
Sunday produced a total of 13 complete matches played. The long afternoon was a trial run of the Lady Tigers’ health and stamina which will continue to be tested throughout the season, Sell said.
“It’s a good start,” Sell said. “It’s what you’re looking for to get a little confidence under your belt, get your feet wet, work through the nerves and allow yourself to grow as the season progresses.”
A couple of Tigers debuted for Coach Jeff Brown’s squad as well Sunday afternoon in Houston. No. 24 LSU opened its 2014 dual season with a 4-3 win against Rice.
Making their first spring appearances, freshman Justin Butsch and sophomore transfer Andrew Korinek’s doubles loss led to an early 1-0 Owl lead. Later, Korinek won 6-5, 6-2 against Max Andrews to tie the match at 2-2.
Sophomore Boris Arias tied the match once more at 3-3 by defeating David Warren 6-2, 6-5, allowing junior Chris Simpson an opportunity to clinch the match.
After falling down a break 1-2 in the third set against the Owls’ Srikar Alla, No. 72 Simpson stormed back to win the tiebreaker 7-3, breaking the tie and lifting the Tigers over Rice with a 6-4, 5-6, 6-5 victory.
Dating back to 2009, LSU has won its last five out of six contests against Rice.