Tennis is one of the most widely-played sports around the world, and LSU’s tennis programs have recruited accordingly.
The Tigers’ roster includes seven players hailing from nations other than the United States, while the Lady Tigers have two players from foreign nations.
Tennis players are presented with an opportunity in the U.S. that they may not have in their home countries. In most other nations, players can’t get an education while simultaneously pursuing tennis careers, forcing them to choose between the two.
“[The U.S.] is the only country where it’s an option to continue [playing tennis] beyond high school and also go to school,” said LSU men’s coach Jeff Brown. “We offer them an opportunity to get an education and then still have a chance to play professionally here.”
LSU succeeded in bringing Vlaar to Baton Rouge before other schools could nab her.
“I got recruited by a few schools,” Vlaar said. “I liked [LSU’s] team a lot when I visited, so I decided I wanted to come level.”
The Tigers won Southeastern Conference Championships in 1985, 1998 and 1999, and have several NCAA Tournament appearances, including their most recent Sweet 16 appearance in 2005. The Lady Tigers haven’t won an SEC Championship, but won an SEC Western Division Championship in 2004.
 
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Contact Adrian Wintz at [email protected]