The Tigers and Lady Tigers tennis teams are headed in the opposite direction in the build-up toward conference play.
The Tigers continued their home losing streak after two losses in four days. The Tigers (1-6) lost to Tulane, 4-2, on Feb. 16 and to Rice, 4-0, on Feb. 19.
This is the Tigers’ worst start since the spring of 2010, when the team’s record was 2-5 through seven games.
The Tigers are struggling to play consistently throughout their lineup, especially at the bottom.
Coach Jeff Brown continues to search for a way to secure his lineups, but his roster’s youth and inexperience is hindering that process.
“We are constantly looking for solutions and for answers,” Brown said in a press release following the team’s loss to Rice. “We haven’t stopped yet, and we are starting to figure some things out.”
“Obviously we need someone to step up in the bottom of the lineup to go along with what we are capable of at the top. The good thing is that we are capable at the top. It’s a lot easier to fill in the spots below that. There’s still focus on the project.”
Brown does not have much time to figure out his conundrum before the start of conference play against South Carolina on Friday, March 3.
The Lady Tigers (7-1) are off to a much more impressive start than their male counterparts.
Following a week’s rest, the Lady Tigers defeated the Houston Cougars, 4-1. The Lady Tigers were led by their trio of nationally ranked players in No. 63, senior Joana Valle Costa, No 65, junior Ryann Foster and No. 35, freshman Jade Lewis.
Valle Costa and Lewis gave the Lady Tigers three of their four points by winning both their doubles and singles matches. Valle Costa partnered with Foster to defeat Houston’s Tsveta Dimitrova and Cristina Rovira, 6-4. Valle Costa defeated Rovira again in singles play, 6-2, 6-4.
Lewis remains undefeated in singles play this season after defeating Dimitrova, 6-2, 6-3. Prior to her singles match, Lewis partnered with freshman Becca Weissmann to win their doubles match, 6-3, over Houston’s Constandena Nicolaou and Ana Glumac.
Following the team’s performance, co-head coach Julia Sell felt the Lady Tigers did not perform their best, but players came through in clutch situations.
“We had kind of a slow start in doubles, but we were tough in big moments,” Sell said in a press release. “We stepped up our game in a lot of critical moments where we needed to, but overall I think we probably could have taken care of business a little faster today.”
Both teams will play one more match before conference play starts in March.
The Lady Tigers will travel to New Orleans to play against Tulane on Tuesday. The Tigers will conclude their five-game homestand against Lamar on Mardi Gras day, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.

Gallery • 1 Photos

Kate Roy

LSU freshman Julian Saborio returns the ball during the Tigers' 3-4 loss to Santa Clara at the LSU Tennis Complex on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017.