The LSU women’s tennis team is off to its best start in five seasons, after a dominating performance over Rice on Sunday.
The Lady Tigers (6-0) won with only one loss in both doubles and singles matches, defeating Rice 6-1.
Despite the final score, the Lady Owls (4-3) still proved to be one of the toughest teams the Lady Tigers have faced this season. Coach Tony Minnis said he is not surprised with his team’s early success against tough competition.
“I think that’s the best match I’ve seen in a couple of years,” Minnis said. “I knew they’d be tough. We just jumped on them and never let up, I was really impressed. This is the most focused team I’ve had in two or three years.”
The doubles team of Jessica Ferguson and Marina Chiarelli were solid against Chong and Karen Chao, but they lost 9-7 (7-3).
“The whole match was really close; every point was important,” Chiarelli said. “We just have to forget the last match and play for each point.”
Ferguson and Chiarelli were equally impressive in bouncing back to win their singles matches. Ferguson upset #51 Lauren Archer in singles, 6-4, 6-3.
Marina Chiarelli ended her match quickly with Chao, winning 6-1, 6-1.
Chiarelli attributes the way she practices to the way she plays.
“I’m just doing exactly what I’ve been doing in practice,” Chiarelli said. “I’ve been good in practice so I’m really comfortable when I’m in the game.”
Senior Rocio Fantilli and junior Amanda Mang have been undefeated in No. 1 doubles in all five match-ups this season, and certainly did not disappoint Sunday. Fantilli and Mang soundly defeated Archer and Blair DiSesa, 8-2.
Fantilli demonstrated her prowess against Tracie Chong, winning 6-2, 6-1.
Amanda Mang, who alternates at No.1 singles, won all of her matches until she faced Amy Walgenbach of Purdue two weeks ago. Mang also lost Sunday to Blair DeSesa, 6-4, 6-3.
Minnis said he remains confident in Mang’s ability because she has been playing well despite the two singles losses.
“She played a really good player today,” Minnis said. “My biggest concern is how hard we’re competing. She played as well as anybody today.”
Lauren Seaman and Camina Caliari remained undefeated in dual competition in doubles and singles. The duo defeated Annie Goodich and Yasmin Fisher, 8-2.
Caliari defeated Fisher, 6-3, 6-1 in singles competition while Seaman defeated Goodrich, 6-4, 6-1.