Doubles play by two new LSU women’s tennis players stood out in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southwest Regional Tournament in Forth Worth, Texas.
The five-day tournament began Oct. 19 and featured LSU tandem of sophomore Megan Falcon and freshman Hannah Robinson, whom reached the doubles final.
After defeating the 10th and 45th-ranked doubles teams in the nation, LSU’s seventh-seeded duo in the tournament lost to No. 24 Ana Cetnik and Anna Sydorska of Texas Christian University, 8-6.
“I am extremely proud of how these two competed,” LSU women’s tennis coach Tony Minnis said. “They worked very well together, and it shows how hungry these two are and how competitive they are.”
After going up 5-1 and needing only three points to capture the first title of their LSU careers, Falcon and Robinson dropped the following seven of eight match points.
“It’s kind of disappointing to know they were up 5-1 and couldn’t close it out, but I believe they played very well considering this was the first time they have played together,” Minnis said.
The Lady Tigers also began the singles main draw Oct. 20, as five of the six players that qualified for the main draw round of 64 advanced to the round of 32.
Junior Anastasiya Dubova, sophomore Mykala Hedberg and freshmen Nicole Kantor and Robinson defeated their opponents in straight sets.
The Lady Tigers were not as fortunate the following day after the four players who advanced to round 32 lost in straight sets.
Minnis said the players started off strong but could not carry over the momentum to the next matches.
“The girls played their butts off, and it showed on the court,” Minnis said. “It was good just to get the opportunity to go out and compete with some different players. The one area that hurt us most and what we need to work on is consistent poise.”
After rebounding and winning her first match in the singles consolation bracket, 6-2, 6-1, Hedberg dropped her match against Texas A&M University senior Sarah Foster, 6-3, 7-6(6), and became the last LSU player to be eliminated from singles play.
Minnis said although the play of the team broke down at some points in its matches, he believes it will rebound well going into next week’s Southeastern Coaches Classic.
“This is a group of girls that really want to win and want to be successful,” Minnis said. “It really shows a lot about their character that they want to go out and do well.”
—–Contact Jay St. Pierre at [email protected]