After a good showing in doubles at the SEC Indoor Tennis meet, the Tigers tennis team opened the dual-match season with strong play in both doubles and singles in victories against in-state foes, Centenary and Southern.
Head coach Jeff Brown liked the way his team played despite temperatures in the mid-20s early in the day.
He said the team adjusting to adversity was a good sign.
“Everybody came out with a real good focus and really took care of business on their courts,” Brown said. “It was a very business-like effort, and I saw some good things out of some young guys.”
Brown particularly liked the play of Paul White and Rafael Corazza. The two freshmen paired up to defeat Centenary’s Charlie Matter and Arthur Okura 8-0 in doubles.
LSU (2-0) routed Centenary (0-2) 7-0 in the first match of the doubleheader. Bryan Fisher and Jason Hazley led the Tigers to a sweep of the Gents in doubles competition. Nationally-ranked at No. 24, the pair defeated Nathan Bridges and Caleb Ashley of Centenary 8-0.
Cory Ross, Brandon Nicholson, Corazza, White, Fisher and Hazley of LSU defeated their singles opponents in straight sets.
Cross-town rival Southern also had no luck against the Tigers Saturday. LSU swept the Jaguars in doubles and singles play winning 7-0.
Nationally-ranked at No. 53, the Tigers’ combination of Sebastian Rutka and Ross defeated the Jaguars’ Michael Date and Greg Pipkins 8-0.
The Fisher/Hazley and White/Peter Richman teams won their matches 8-2 and 8-1 respectively. Richman, Hazley, Fisher, Ross, White and Nicholson compiled singles victories in straight sets over the Jaguars.
The Tigers play host to Texas-San Antonio and Southern Feb. 1 at 4 and 7 p.m.