The LSU women’s tennis team travels to Tallahassee, Fla., today for their first road match of the season against a 6-1 Florida State team.
Wednesday’s event is also the first match the Lady Tigers have played since suffering their first loss of the season Feb. 12 against Texas A&M University.
“Hopefully we can come out and play with more fire and intensity than we did against Texas A&M,” LSU coach Tony Minnis said. “They are always a tough team, and it is a battle every year.”
The Seminoles come into the contest missing their No. 1 singles player. Junior Carolin Walter, No. 8 in the nation, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn tendon in her foot.
“It’s very frustrating, but this is, unfortunately, a part of college athletics that all teams go through,” Florida State coach Jennifer Hyde said. “Carolin is a very strong player, and you hate to lose someone of her caliber.”
The Lady Tigers know all too well about what injuries can do to a team.
LSU senior Daysi Espinal has been hampered by injuries for three years. After knee surgery this past offseason, she began the season strong and finished the fall with an 8-2 record.
“It gave me a lot of confidence coming out and playing at that level,” Espinal said. “Coming out strong was really important for me and my team.”
Espinal, a native of the Dominican Republic, finished her high school career as the No. 1 singles player in her home country.
Espinal said the transition from the Dominican Republic to LSU was not as difficult as she predicted.
“The relationship with my teammates and Coach Tony made the transition smooth and allowed me to take my mind off of home,” Espinal said.
Espinal began her freshman year in 2002 and finished with a 17-14 record in singles play. Although she was forced to play with an injured shoulder, she had the second-most wins on the team.
She also had a strong year in doubles competition, going 11-8 with partner Camilla Caliari.
“We worked very well together and had a lot of fun playing together,” Caliari said. “We had great communication, and that is the reason we succeeded.”
After struggling her sophomore season with a 12-14 singles record, she began her junior season with a big win. Espinal won the UNLV Invitational singles title on Sep. 24, 2004, in Las Vegas.
Espinal finished her junior season with an overall record of 11-9 in singles play. After struggling with injured knee for much of that year, she underwent surgery to find the root of the problem.
“The doctors scoped my knee and found medial plica in my knee,” Espinal said.
Plica syndrome is the thickening of knee ligaments caused by overuse and continued pressure on the joint. This often interferes with the function of the knee and causes swelling.
Espinal came back from surgery and began her senior campaign by winning the singles title at the Maryland Invitational on Sep. 25, 2005.
“The rehab helped me come back strong and made me realize some of the mistakes I was making,” Espinal said.
Coach Minnis said Espinal has had some bad injuries in the past. He also said it was good to see her come back strong for this season.
“She is really beginning to play like I know she can,” Minnis said. “Daysi is a terrific player.”
Caliari said Espinal is a great doubles partner.
“Daysi has the biggest heart on the team,” Caliari said. “She continues to help us get better.”
Espinal continues to nurse her knee and continues to rehab almost every day.
“Sometimes I have to rest my knee between events,” Daysi said. “I still try to motivate and support my teammates any way I can. I give 100 percent when I practice and play and try to lead by example.”
Senior Marina Chiarelli said Daysi’s experience helps all the players.
“She is a true competitor,” Chiarelli said. “We are very fortunate to have Daysi on our team.”
Espinal said she does not expect to play against Florida State University, but will be there to support her team.
LSU begins play against Florida State at 4 p.m today.
 
Contact Jay St. Pierre at [email protected]