The LSU women’s tennis team picked up a key non-conference victory against No. 66 Ohio State, 4-2, at W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium in a match that took six hours to complete.
Coming off a weekend doubleheader that saw split results, including a 4-3 loss against No. 26 Minnesota and a 4-0 win against Prairie View A&M, the Lady Tigers were able to secure their ninth win of the season before entering the remaining Southeastern Conference schedule.
“It seems like every time we step on the court, we’re in a war,” said LSU coach Tony Minnis. “Ohio State is always a very solid team, and Coach Chuck [Merzbacher] is one of the best [coaches] in the country.”
After a brief rain delay, No. 49 LSU (9-6) got on the board first by sweeping through doubles.
LSU senior Whitney Wolf and junior Keri Frankenberger took down Kara Cecil and Kelsey Haviland, 8-6, on court 1.
On court 2, senior Olivia Howlett and sophomore Yvette Vlaar defeated Fidan Manashirova and Gabby Steele, 8-6.
Junior Kaitlin Burns and sophomore Ariel Morton wrapped up doubles play for the Lady Tigers, beating Ohio State’s Kelsey Dieters and Noelle Malley on court 3, 8-6.
Wolf kept LSU’s momentum going as she defeated Cecil on the top court, 6-1, 6-3.
On court 5, Dieters became the first Buckeye on the board with a 6-3, 6-1 win against junior Ebie Wilson.
Ohio State (5-9) then evened the match at 2-2 as Steele took down Frankenberger, 7-5, 6-3, on court 4.
Yvette Vlaar regained the lead for good for the Lady Tigers as she defeated Malley on court 6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
On court 2, Howlett battled from behind against Haviland in her second set for a 6-3, 7-5 victory to clinch the match for the Lady Tigers.
With rain rolling in, Burns and Manashirova left their match unfinished on court 3.
“I’m really pleased we were able to pull it out,” Minnis said. “Its good coming off of those tough couple of losses to get back into the win column.”
Part two of the scheduled doubleheader against Grambling State will be rescheduled due to inclement weather.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action this weekend as they host No. 12-ranked Tennessee on Friday and travel to Athens, Ga. on Sunday to face No. 7 Georgia.  
 
 
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Contact Ian Fontenot at [email protected]