The No. 12 LSU men’s tennis team will face top-notch competition as they open their Southeastern Conference season against No. 24 Georgia Friday and No. 37 Tennessee Sunday.
LSU (7-0) proved it is a team to contend with after its 5-2 victory at then No. 15 Texas, which is its closest margin of victory in its undefeated season.
“I think we’re ready,” said LSU tennis player Jason Hazley. “We’ve played some good teams, like Texas, in a rough environment, but now we’re ready for Georgia.”
LSU coach Jeff Brown said he is happy with how his team has performed thus far, especially against ranked opponents in LSU’s non-conference schedule.
“I think the Texas match, the UL match, and the UNO match to an extent have prepared us for the SEC season,” Brown said. “I think everybody has faced a little adversity and I think everybody will be ready.”
A challenging non-conference schedule may be just what the Tigers need, as they prepare for two SEC teams that are on a roll and in the Top 40.
The Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) finished with a 7-0 victory over in-state rival Georgia State on Saturday.
The Tennessee Volunteers (5-2) are fresh off upsetting No. 6 Duke this past Friday, which moved the Volunteers up 17 spots in latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association team rankings.
Junior Peter Richman said the intensity of each match increases when SEC games are played.
“The SEC is tough, with the teams we have to play,” Richman said. “We already know what [the SEC] is all about. We’re definitely ready.”
As the Lady Tigers (7-2) head to Athens, Ga., they will attempt to erase the memory of their only two losses of the season.
The Lady Tigers are coming off crushing defeats, losing to Florida 7-0 and South Carolina 6-1.
“These are a tough four matches,” said LSU coach Tony Minnis, referring to Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. “If we can get out with a few wins it will be good for our confidence.”
The Lady Tigers are still trying to recover from junior Amanda Mang’s hand injury, which has sidelined her indefinitely.
Minnis said doctors will know today about the severity of Mang’s tear in her right hand ligament, as well as her status for the remainder of the season. Minnis said Mang is likely out for the season.
“It’s just unfortunate,” Minnis said. “She is a major part of our team.”
Minnis said he is encouraging his team to look forward and try to put last weekend behind them because the schedule does not get easier.
“I knew early on this would be the toughest stretch we had, Minnis said. “Florida was ranked No. 1 preseason in the country, and Georgia was ranked No.2. Tennessee has been hurt much of the season, and it looks like they have their players back.”
No. 2 Georgia defeated No. 12 Clemson 6-1 this past weekend.
The No. 28 Lady Volunteers lost their last match to Alabama, 4-3, in a match that came down to a tiebreaker in the final singles match.
“It’s going to be tough,” Minnis said. “You just try to talk to them about doing things right.”