It wasn’t a busy weekend for the LSU women’s tennis team.Senior Nicole Kantor was the Tigers’ lone participant at the Intercollegiate Tennis Associations Women’s All-American Championships in Pacific Palisades, Calif., this weekend. She was eliminated, 7-5, 6-2, in the pre-qualifying round by N.C. State senior Berkeley Brock, who lost her next match.The pre-qualifying rounds were single elimination, and each player needed to win three matches to advance to the championship round.A loss is a change of pace for Kantor who took the singles title at her last competition in the Hoosier Classic — her first tournament of the season.”Nicole fought very hard today but lost to a better player,” said LSU women’s coach Tony Minnis in a news release. “She’s had a great season so far, and I’m really proud of her.”The men’s tennis team is sending sophomore Neal Skupski and junior Sebastian Carlsson to Tulsa, Okla., for the ITA All-American Qualifier, beginning today. Skupski and Carlsson are in the singles qualifier and the main draw for doubles.”The All-American is a big tournament,” Skupski said. “Basically the goal here is to get your [individual] ranking up.”Skupski said he’s still working on getting into shape and preparing for the season ahead.”I’m working on my serve, varying the speed and direction I’m hitting the ball,” Skupski said.LSU men’s coach Jeff Brown said the tournament isn’t important for team rankings, but it’s important for individual players to gain confidence.”Confidence is something you’re always trying to build,” Brown said. “You don’t have to win all the time, but you need to win some.”Brown said he knows Skupski and Carlsson are terrific talents and are working diligently on their game every day.”They both have made jumps in their game,” Brown said. “Everyone’s talking about how well Sebastian’s playing.”Brown said Skupski can lead by example after a strong freshman season, beginning this weekend.”He feels more confident in being a leader,” Brown said——Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]