After dropping their first three conference games the Tigers pulled off the upset against No. 27 Vanderbilt on Sunday at the LSU Tennis Complex.
It’s the Tigers second win against a ranked opponent, and was their third on the season. The win also helps the Tigers going forward, who hopes to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
In the 4-3 victory, the Tigers were led by No. 47 Jordan Daigle and No. 43 Justin Butsch. The two seniors paired up as doubles partners to help give LSU an early point.
Daigle defeated Vanderbilt’s Daniel Valent in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-3. The victory marks the fifth in a row for Daigle, including a victory against a top ten opponent.
“I have a lot of confidence, and been playing very well,” Daigle said regarding his win streak. “Things are just starting to come together at the right time.”
Butsch locked up the win for Tigers on court two. After losing the first set, 4-6, Butsch came roaring back to win the second and third sets, 7-5 and 6-3.
“I think [the win] is big for the younger guys,” Daigle said. “Especially just knowing our team is there, and we finally got over the hump and got an SEC win.”
LSU coach Jeff Brown echoed Daigle’s sentiments, and knows the importance of winning big matches against ranked opponents.
“It’s a culmination of something that we felt we should have gotten earlier,” Brown said on his team’s first SEC win.
The Tigers also played Alcorn State twice on the indoor courts after their match against Vanderbilt. The two matches helped boost LSU’s record, while allowing for younger players to compete.
Freshman Julian Saborio was one of the standouts in the two matches against Alcorn State.
Brown complemented Saborio on how he dominated both of his opponents.
The Tigers will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on March 19.
For the LSU women’s team, the Lady Tigers traveled to Columbia and defeated Missouri, 4-3.
Freshman Becca Weissmann defeated Amina Ismail in three sets, 6-7, 6-1 and 7-5.
“Becca kind of struggled at the beginning, but there was a turning point where she just decided, ‘Here we go, I’m going to start playing the right way,’” said co-head coach Julia Sell in a press release.
Fellow freshman Jade Lewis held up her form, and won her singles match in three sets, 3-6, 6-2 and 6-2 against Brianna Lashway.
The Lady Tigers return to Baton Rouge to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday at 4.