The LSU men’s and women’s tennis teams opened up Southeastern Conference play this weekend with losses to both Auburn and Alabama.After dropping the first match to Auburn at home, 4-3, on Saturday, the men’s team had tried to rebound against Alabama on Sunday. But the Tigers came up short, losing by a score of 5-2.”It was a tough loss for us because we were hoping to turn things around today, but things don’t always happen the way you want them to,” LSU head coach Jeff Brown said. “We have to go back to work.The Crimson Tide got off to an impressive start, taking the doubles point after winning two of three matches.LSU’s No. 13 ranked duo of senior Michael Venus and freshman Neal Skupksi were defeated by Mathieu Thibaudeau and Dan Buikema of Alabama, 8-6. LSU senior James Cluskey and freshman Mark Bowtell lost to the No. 27 ranked doubles team of Billy Mertz and Saketh Myneni, 8-3.  The Tiger duo of sophomores Julien Gauthier and Sebastian Carlsson salvaged the lone win for LSU in doubles play beating Ricky Doverspike and Andrew Felsenthal, 8-3.”We haven’t capitalized on the home court,” Brown said. “Getting the early doubles point is a big thing. We need the leaders on this team to focus on getting the young guys through and get themselves through.”The Tigers didn’t fare much better in singles play, losing four of six matches. Carlsson logged the first singles win for LSU defeating Buikema, 6-4, 6-7, 10-1. Bowtell was able to end the day on a high note for the Tigers, beating Michael Jung in a hard-fought match 7-6, 6-4. “Physically it was a tough match,” Bowtell said.  ”The guy made a lot of balls. Each point was maybe six shots long, but I just had to keep going.”No. 9 ranked Venus continued his recent skid, losing to No. 66 Myneni in straight sets. 6-1, 6-3.Coach Brown said Venus has an undiagnosed injury and was not 100 percent healthy coming into the match.The Tigers next competition will be Friday when they travel to take on Vanderbilt.”On the road, it’s going to be difficult,” Brown said. “They’re a good team. I think we match up pretty well. We need to make sure we use every opportunity to improve.”WOMEN’S TENNISThe No. 18 ranked Lady Tigers got off to a rough start in SEC play on the road this weekend.After losing to Auburn, 5-2, on Friday, LSU traveled to take on Alabama. But the Lady Tigers came out on the losing end, 4-3, after a back and forth match.The LSU women were able to take the doubles point, winning two of the three matches. LSU’s No. 17 ranked doubles team of Megan Falcon and Mykala Hedberg got the first win for the Lady Tigers, defeating the No. 64 team of Tiffany Welcher and Courtney McLane, 8-6. The LSU duo of Nicole Kantor and Staten Spencer won the doubles point for the Tigers by beating Meritt Emery and Shelley Godwin, 8-6.In singles play, No. 12 ranked Falcon put the Lady Tigers up, 2-0, early by defeating No. 82 Welcher in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.But Alabama was able to rebound to win four of six singles matches to claim the 4-3 victory.The Lady Tigers next competition will be Friday when they host Vanderbilt at “Dub” Robinson Stadium at 3 p.m. ——Contact Tyler Harvey at [email protected]