The LSU men and women’s tennis teams completed a successful weekend on the courts as the Tigers swept in-state competition Saturday. The No. 14 ranked LSU men’s tennis team won a doubleheader in the blistering cold, defeating Louisiana-Lafayette then New Orleans at “Dub” Robinson Stadium.The Tigers defeated ULL in the first match, 4-0, before beating UNO, 4-0, Saturday evening.”We had quality opponents,” said LSU men’s coach Jeff Brown. “I was glad to see they brought quality teams in and made it tough on us, but not so tough that we didn’t win.  It was nice that we were able to stop after we got four points and didn’t have to wait for a final match.”The LSU duo of senior James Cluskey and freshman Mark Bowtell set the stage for the Tigers early in doubles action, defeating ULL junior Piotr Banas and sophomore Piotr Olechowski, 8-1, improving their record to 4-0.In singles play, LSU senior Michael Venus kept his impressive season going against the Ragin Cajuns, dominating Olechowski, 6-2, 6-3.LSU freshman Neal Skupski sealed the victory against UNO, claiming a 6-2, 6-4 victory against freshman Vinay Kamineni. No. 5 Venus is now 11-5 on the season.Venus and Skupski teamed up to defeat ULL freshman Yanick Mandl and senior Arlen Domoney, 8-4, in doubles competition. The No. 9 ranked LSU duo later lost to sophomore Ben Smith and freshman Calvin Kemp of UNO, 8-4.Venus said playing in the 50 degree winds was definitely challenging.”It was windy and cold out today, so it was tough,” Venus said. “But we managed to get it done. It’s not pleasant playing in the cold, but the other team has to do it as. Once you’re warmed up, you don’t even notice it. It got better as the day went on actually.”Cluskey said he was glad the team pulled through in the harsh weather.”The conditions can be a big equalizer and can make it a lot closer,” Cluskey said. “I thought we took care of business.”LSU goes back into action next weekend when they take on Auburn on Friday at “Dub” Robinson Stadium. They face Alabama on Sunday.”I think [this weekend] was a good prep for Auburn and Alabama next weekend,” Brown said.  ”We’re just going to keep getting better and get everybody healthy.”WOMEN’S TENNIS BEATS ULLThe No. 26 LSU women’s tennis team defeated ULL on Saturday at the Cajun Courts in Lafayette, 7-0. In singles play, No. 12 LSU senior Megan Falcon improved her record to 21-4 after blowing past ULL sophomore Julie Mazinova, 6-3, 6-2.”It wasn’t a very easy 7-0 win,” said LSU women’s coach Tony Minnis. “We have to give credit to our players. We had a couple of starters who went down with nagging injuries. Kylie Adamek and Nicole Smith really stepped up and held it up for us.”  The Lady Tigers return to action at Auburn on Friday.——Contact Tyler Harvey at [email protected]