Both LSU tennis teams are riding momentum of last weekend’s wins, jump-started by their No. 1 singles players, Jessica Ferguson and Ken Skupski, who both took home SEC Player of the Week honors.
The Lady Tigers have been excited about their play. The spark plug for their success has been SEC Women’s Tennis Player of the Week, Ferguson, whom the Lady Tigers hope to rely on in No. 1 singles this weekend.
Ferguson propelled the Lady Tigers (8-5, 0-4) to a 4-3 win over No. 16 Texas A&M this past Thursday. Ferguson upset the Lady Aggies’ No. 21 Jessica Roland in No. 1 singles. Ferguson also defeated ranked opponent Sabita Maharaj in LSU’s 6-1 loss, defeating two ranked opponents in five days.
Coach Tony Minnis said Ferguson’s mental toughness has allowed her to persevere through tough matches.
“She has the understanding that winning isn’t easy, and her attitude for this year has improved her game tremendously,” Minnis said.
The Lady Tigers have lost all four conference games this season. They also have won 10 consecutive home games.
“Our girls love playing in front of our fans,” Minnis said. “I think when you’re consistently playing against teams in the Top 25, you can use every little edge you can get.”
LSU tennis assistant Matt Thomas is coordinating a tailgate party for Sunday’s game against Vanderbilt for fans who attend Friday’s match against Kentucky.
“This is something to reward the loyal supporters and to encourage new fans that have yet to come out,” Thomas said.
The Lady Tigers will need to continue their home success this weekend against ranked SEC rivals No. 15 Kentucky (12-6, 3-1) and No. 4 Vanderbilt (13-2, 4-1).
The No. 14 LSU men (9-1, 1-1) are hot, due in large part to SEC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week No. 58 Skupski, who is 19-6 this season in No. 1 singles. Skupski also is undefeated at No. 2 doubles with partner Peter Richman.
Skupski was honored for his victories in No. 1 singles against opponents No. 27 Tennessee and No. 13 Texas A&M.
“If we had lost this match, it would have been a long break,” Brown said.
Skupski and the Tigers resume SEC action this weekend when they get back on the road Friday to face No. 18 Kentucky (8-4, 1-1), which in its last outing defeated Indiana and Murray State 7-0.
LSU remains fourth among SEC teams, following No. 2 Ole Miss, No. 9 Florida and this Sunday’s opponent No. 13 Vanderbilt (8-5, 2-1), which is coming off a 5-2 loss to No. 2 Ole Miss.
The Tigers, as Brown said, have a long stretch until the tournaments. The Tigers play 11 matches in the next four weeks. The Lady Tigers have 10 games remaining in the same time span.