Better late than never for the LSU women’s tennis team.The No. 71 Lady Tigers host No. 23 Arkansas on Saturday after winning three of their last four Southeastern Conference matches. “Three weeks ago we had a choice to either quit or keep scrapping, and they’ve chosen the latter,” said LSU women’s coach Tony Minnis. “They’ve done a very nice job.”LSU began the SEC season 1-5 before the turnaround. Minnis said the youthful Lady Tigers (9-13, 4-6), who start three freshmen, have gained valuable experience this season. A woeful start has turned into newfound success.”The difference in our team right now compared to a month ago is our attitude, our determination and our experience,” Minnis said.The Razorbacks (15-8, 5-5) are playing solidly as well and have also taken three of their last four SEC matches. “They’re a top-25 team,” Minnis said. “If we come out and we play with the same energy and attitude that we have over the past few matches, we have a nice shot to win.”The match against the Razorbacks marks the final regular-season home match for the Lady Tigers.”You have seniors on your team that have been with you for four years and have contributed a lot to the program, and you want to send them out the right way,” Minnis said. “You’re with them everyday, you have your ups and downs, and these guys deserve to finish up strong.”The No. 55 LSU men’s tennis team (6-14, 2-8) plays at No. 62 Arkansas (10-14, 1-9) after snapping a seven-match losing skid with a 4-3 win against South Florida on Tuesday.LSU men’s coach Jeff Brown said the win is encouraging, but it’s not something to celebrate with a crucial match Saturday against the Razorbacks.”We’re certainly not overconfident having had the year we’ve had,” Brown said. “For this team, it’ll be a little bit of a pick-me-up and an attitude boost, and it will allow them to go for their shots under pressure a little bit more.”Brown said he knows the Tigers need to pick up the pace in the final stretch to get a spot in the NCAA tournament.”With the few number of wins that we’ve had, every win’s going to help our average,” he said. “I think they’re taking your eight best wins by the time the SEC is over. We have some holes where we don’t have anything averaging in, so every win is important.”The Tigers have an opportunity to break their recent funk and extend a new winning streak by defeating the struggling Razorbacks, who have lost nine of their last 10 matches.”If we don’t win this one, we still have a chance, but we probably have to win two at the SEC tournament, which is going to be a tall order,” Brown said. “So it’s a pretty important game.”The men’s and women’s SEC tournaments begin April 22.- – – -Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]