LSU Tennis doubles pair Mark Growcott and Ken Skupski wrapped upthe National Intercollegiate Indoor Tournament in Michigan onSunday, finishing the tournament with a 2-2 record to close out thefall season.
Despite dropping two matches, associate head coach Mark Boorassaid the duo gained good experience over the weekend.
“I think Ken and Mark have established themselves as oneof the top teams in the country,” Booras said. “Beingable to come out with an even record over four days is a greatfeat.”
    Skupski and Growcott earned their tripto Michigan following a win at the Southeast Regional Tournamenttwo weeks ago.
    Last weekend’s play marked just thesecond time the duo had competed together.
     Beginning last Thursday, Skupski andGrowcott opened the tournament with an 8-6 to Geoff Boyd and BradPomeroy of the University of North Carolina.
     According to Skupski, losing on thefirst day of the tournament was not easy to take.
    ”We know what we’re capableof doing,” Skupski said. “We came into this eventhinking we could win the tournament. Unfortunately, we lost on thefirst day.”
     The duo bounced back on Friday,defeating Imraan Ismail and Matt Roberts of the University ofArkansas 8-6.
     The following day, Skupski and Growcottearned a spot in the consolation finals with an 8-6 win over DavidKowalski and Ryan Stotland of the University of New Mexico.
     On the final day of the tournament,Skupski and Growcott had their second loss of the weekend, fallingto Ivan Angulo Carrasco and Ricardo Omanna of the College of SantaFe 9-8.
“There were parts of the game we could controlbetter,” Skupski said. “We gave them a couple of cheappoints, and that can give away the match.”
Booras said that despite having a strong service game, the duosometimes manages to lose focus.
Skupski agreed with his coach’s assessment.
    ”We can lose focus,” Skupskisaid. “But we’re going to work on that for the next fewweeks.”
Aside from competing in doubles, Skupski also took part insingles competition, yet lost both matches.
Skupski took on the No. 14-ranked Alex Slovic of the Universityof Washington on Thursday, falling 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
The tournament featured the top 16 doubles team in the nation,as well as 32 of the top singles players.
Booras said competition like this will benefit not only thedoubles team, but also the team as a whole down the road.
    “Mark and Ken have both played at thislevel before,” Booras said. “But to be able to get thisexperience again helps build their confidence going into the springseason.”
The tournament also marked the last of the fall season for theduo, as spring competition will not begin until January 2005 at theSoutheastern Conference Indoor Championships in New Orleans.
According to Skupski, he and Growcott most likely will be pairedtogether again in the spring season.
    ”We’re learning in everysingle match,” Skupski said. “We’ll get better,and we’ll be able to compete in the SEC thisseason.”