The LSU men’s tennis team faces its toughest non-conference challenger of the season today when No. 2 Ohio State comes to town. The No. 27 Tigers (11-4) will take on the Buckeyes (18-1) at 3 p.m. “Ohio State has been one of the best teams outside of [USC] over the last three or four years,” said LSU coach Jeff Brown. “They’re a tough matchup for everyone.” The Tigers have a steep hill to climb against the Buckeyes, but LSU already has experience upsetting top ranked teams at W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium this year. In February, the Tigers upset then-No.12 Texas A&M, 4-3, behind strong singles performances by junior Olivier Borsos and senior Neal Skupski. Brown said Borsos and Skupski will need another good outing if the Tigers have any chance to upset the Buckeyes. “It’s hard to win both one and two every match, but when we do, we’re probably going to win,” Brown said. All six of the Ohio State singles players are nationally ranked, including No. 6 Blaz Rola and No. 12 Chase Buchanan, who combine to form the No. 1 doubles duo in the country. Both No. 71 Borsos and No. 85 Skupski are ranked for the Tigers, but Borsos is only 1-3 in his last four matches. Senior Tom Knights, who has won six straight matches and holds an 11-2 record this season, will also look to continue his winning streak. The LSU women’s tennis team will follow the Tigers with a doubleheader against No. 63 Ohio State and in-state foe Grambling on Tuesday. The No. 50-ranked Lady Tigers had a busy weekend, splitting a doubleheader on Saturday, losing, 4-3, to No. 34 Minnesota and winning, 4-0, against Prairie View A&M. The Lady Tigers had several chances to pull the upset against Minnesota, failing to convert multiple break points. “We have won matches like that three times this year, and this is one we just lost,” said LSU coach Tony Minnis. The Lady Tigers fared much better in their second match against Prairie View A&M. Senior Olivia Howlett, junior Kaitlin Burns and freshman Paige Bahnsen all picked up straight set victories to go along with a Lady Tigers sweep of all three doubles matches.
 
—- Contact Spencer Hutchinson at [email protected].