The LSU women’s tennis team got one more boost of confidence before Southeastern Conference play begins Friday.
The No. 46 Lady Tigers (7-1) swept the No. 70 Houston Cougars (6-2) 7-0 at the W.T. “Dub” Robinson in Baton Rouge on Wednesday.
“We really came out and controlled the match against Houston,” said LSU coach Tony Minnis. “Our intensity and focus was at a higher level today than in the past couple matches. Houston is a solid team that beat Mississippi State and won the doubles point against Texas A&M earlier this year.”
Mykala Hedberg filled in as Tiffany Tucker’s doubles partner, and the duo helped the Lady Tigers take a 1-0 lead by beating Sonja Nikolic and Sarah Reimer of Houston, 8-3.
Tucker’s usual partner and part of the No. 35-ranked duo in the nation, Lauren Seaman, was unable to play after suffering a back injury Sunday against Lamar.
“Lauren’s injury is day-to-day,” Minnis said. “We aren’t sure if she will be able to play against Tennessee because a back injury is hard to judge.”
The tandems of Marina Chiarelli and Anastasiya Dubova and Daysi Espinal and Camila Caliari also won their doubles matches.
“We have stressed doubles intensity this year, and there was no question that today it was the best it’s been all year,” Minnis said in a news release.
Hedberg continued her streak of good play as she downed Loli Gomez 6-2, 6-0 and gave the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead. The freshman is 6-2 in the No. 1 position of dual-match play this season.
LSU went ahead 3-0 when Caliari defeated Nikolic 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 5 position. The senior is 7-1 in dual-match play.
Espinal clinched the LSU victory by winning the fourth point 6-2, 6-1 against Vicky Simpson.
Tucker, Chiarelli and Dubova won their matches in two sets to complete the sweep.
Dubova was down 3-0 to Kami Miller in the second set, but won six straight games to win 6-4, 6-3.
“I’m very proud of these girls,” Minnis said in a news release. “We have starters out with Lauren hurt and Staten [Spencer] out for the year, and we’re down to six players. Yet we’re still fighting hard and pulling out some tough matches. These kids continue to battle and continue to fight.”
After suffering a 7-0 loss to Texas A&M, LSU has reeled off home wins against Houston and Lamar and a road victory against Florida State.
The Lady Tigers will travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to face No. 29 Tennessee (3-6) in the opening weekend of SEC play.
Three of the Lady Vols’ losses this season have come against teams currently ranked in the top-10 of the ITA poll.
“A victory on the road against Tennessee would really help our team,” Minnis said. “Most of these girls know what it’s like to travel in the SEC. It doesn’t matter who is in or who is out. Our girls gained confidence against Houston and should play well in Tennessee.”
 
 
 
Contact Matt Vines at [email protected]