Despite having no tournament during fall break, the LSU women’s tennis team wasn’t taking any time off last weekend.
Following a rained-out final day at the Rice Fall Invitational in Houston two weekends ago, the Lady Tigers didn’t break their stride in preparing for the ITA Southern Regionals this weekend in Birmingham, Ala.
Seniors Whitney Wolf and Olivia Howlett, juniors Kaitlin Burns and Ebie Wilson, sophomores Yvette Vlaar and Ariel Morton and freshman Rebecca Bodine will play this weekend.
LSU had time for extra practice during fall break, working longer practices on Thursday and Friday.
“We’ve been really focused at practice and working especially hard,” said women’s assistant coach Lisa Jackson.
Women’s coach Tony Minnis said senior Whitney Wolf has worked especially hard and he’s been happy with her performance through the first month of the season.
Wolf won a hard-fought upset victory at the ITA All-American Qualifying Tournament two weeks ago, which won praise from Minnis.
“I was impressed with Whitney Wolf,” Minnis said. “I thought that she played really well at the All-Americans in Los Angeles.”
Wolf, who ranked No. 52 in the nation in singles, will lead the team into Birmingham this weekend.
“I’m excited and impressed with how well she’s come along,” Minnis said. “I think she’ll play well at this tournament.”
But Wolf isn’t necessarily the leader of the squad. Minnis said he is striving to build leadership in every player.
“I’m challenging them … to become better team leaders, and exemplify that on a consistent basis,” Minnis said.
With the hard work the team has gone through in preparing for this weekend’s tournament, rest is something that is also crucial to success.
“We’ve been playing a lot, and we’ve played really hard,” Minnis said. “It’s going to definitely pay dividends because it’s been a pretty intense fall. I think having some time off is a pretty good thing.”
 
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Contact Adrian Wintz at [email protected].