The No. 20 LSU women’s tennis team fell in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Championship on Friday to the No. 1-seeded Florida, 4-0.
Though the Lady Tigers started strong in doubles play for the second match in a row, it was Florida’s match to lose on courts 2 and 3.
While LSU seniors Ella Taylor and junior Joana Vale Costa fought for a comeback on court 2, the Gators took court 3, 6-2.
Junior Abigail Owens and sophomore Ryann Foster’s 3-0 lead on court 1 vanished as well, until Florida finally claimed the doubles point with its comeback win against the Lady Tigers’ duo, 6-3.
“They started out being aggressive and did the things we talked about,” said LSU co-head coach Julia Sell. “I don’t think we executed as well as we did yesterday. But again, to us, if we lose the doubles point, we’re not worried and get right back to work in singles.”
Singles play has been LSU’s strong side all season, but with the doubles point in hand, the Gators only needed wins on three courts to advance to the next round.
With victories on courts 3 and 5, the Gators held a 3-0 overall lead, as three of the four remaining courts headed into a third set.
Taylor, on court 6, was unable to finish a set in her favor and finally fell in the fourth match, 6-4 and 6-3.
“That score doesn’t really tell the story and we were looking pretty good on those other three courts,” Sell said. “If she gets it in to a third, we win that match. We came in closer than we did when we played them in the regular season and those are the things that we’re focused on moving forward.”
Sell said it’s important to not be discouraged by tight losses against top-10 teams.
The main focus this season has been on playing the best tennis in May at the NCAA Tournament. As the upcoming weeks will serve as a short break and period of rest for the players’ bodies, even the improvement Sell has seen during the SEC Championship this week, sparks optimism.
“If we can get around the number of who we are playing and just swing freely, we’re going to make a great run at NCAAs,” Sell said. “That’s what it’s about. We’re a budding team into the top 10. It’s easier said than done, but we got to find the courage to play our game.”

Gallery • 8 Photos

Zoe Geauthreaux

LSU business administration junior Skylar Holloway awaits the serve on Friday, April 23, 2016, during the women's doubles tennis match against Florida at the LSU Tennis Complex