As the LSU women’s tennis team continues its transition from off-season preparation to in-game execution, coaches and teammates always search for a voice to urge others to keep moving.
For the Lady Tigers, that voice is Ariel Morton.
“Ariel’s leadership is incredibly valuable from the aspect that she has the most SEC experience of anyone on the team and had a lot of success last year at No. 4 singles and No. 1 doubles,” said LSU coach Julia Sell.
For Morton, the leadership role comes naturally.
“I think everyone is used to the idea of me being an only senior because last year I was the only junior,” Morton said. “I joke around with the rest of my teammates about being the lone senior more than they do with me because I get to call seniority with everything.”
Morton credits former teammates for helping her transition to the college realm. Visiting as a high school recruit, Morton remembers meeting the now-graduated Lady Tigers who helped guide her around campus and introduce her to collegiate level tennis.
Now, Morton tries to pass on the knowledge she was given.
“I try to use my experience that I’ve acquired over the years by giving my advice to the younger teammates, whether it is better preparing them in tennis or in school,” Morton said.
Although Morton is the single senior for the Lady Tigers, she doesn’t mind taking the court with a partner in crime. Stretching back to her high school career when she won the Texas 5A district championship as a junior, Morton has competed in both singles and doubles matches. Entering the season, she has participated in 76 collegiate singles matches and 88 doubles matches.
“Doubles is faster paced,” Morton said. “You have a teammate right there on the court with you, [and you] have to communicate with someone else and work with your teammate’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Teammate Mary Jeremiah said Morton is not only a great teammate, but she is also a great partner for doubles competition.
“She does a great job of setting up her partner at the net. Her ability to keep the ball low in a cross-court rally gives her partner time to be successful at the net,” Jeremiah said.
As the season moves into full swing, Morton is excited to channel her senior leadership and convert the experience into wins. Despite the natural attention of being the only player experiencing her last season, Morton still places her full focus on the team.
“My team is very important to me, and I want to be the best senior I can be for them in whatever way I can do it,” Morton said. “I want to leave LSU tennis with no regrets, and I want to see my teammates shine in the way I know they can.”
“I want to leave LSU tennis with no regrets and I want to see my teammates shine in the way I know they can.”