The LSU women’s tennis team begins Southeastern Conference Tournament play today at 1 p.m. against the University of Arkansas in Gainesville, Fla.
The match marks the second time this week that LSU and Arkansas will face each other. The No. 60 Lady Tigers (11-11, 3-6) upset the No. 44 Lady Razorbacks on Saturday 5-2 to wrap up the regular season.
“It’s very important for us to come out with the same kind of intensity we did in the last match,” said coach Tony Minnis. “We have to make a little run if there is any chance of us making it into the tournament.”
Four seniors for LSU will be playing in the final conference matches of their careers. Camila Caliari, Marina Chiarelli, Daysi Espinal and Lauren Seaman come into the match looking for the final NCAA berth of their collegiate career.
“They all have very solid character,” Minnis said. “They carry great pride and a level of respect that makes me feel fortunate I have been able to coach them.”
Minnis said this season has been tough because of the injury problems the team has encountered, but he is proud of how the seniors have responded.
After losing their first seven conference matches of the season, LSU ended the regular season by winning three of the team’s final four SEC matches.
The Lady Tigers’ win against the Lady Razorbacks (10-9, 5-6) dropped Arkansas below .500 in SEC play and snapped their six-match win streak.
“We have to play even better now,” Chiarelli said. “They are going to come with a lot of effort, and they want revenge, so we have to be ready.”
Chiarelli said Saturday’s win gave the team a lot of confidence, and the team expects “nothing less than a win” in today’s match.
Minnis said the team needs to perform well, and both teams need to win to make the NCAA tournament.
“They’re gonna come after us,” Minnis said about Arkansas. “We’re both trying to make a run to make the NCAA tournament, and they are in a better position than us. One win for [Arkansas], and they make the tournament. We need to beat them and beat Vanderbilt to have a chance.”
Seaman said the team is excited about playing Arkansas in the tournament.
“Everyone is really excited to play them again,” Seaman said. “We know they are going to be so hungry and ready to beat us, but I think we are more than ready.”
Minnis said if the team plays with “reckless abandon” they should beat Arkansas.
“It’s not over till it’s over,” Minnis said. “And we have to look toward the SEC tournament as an opportunity to perhaps knock off a team and make the NCAA tournament.”
Contact Jay St. Pierre at [email protected]
