The LSU women’s tennis team returns to action this weekend, ending a 10-day layoff.
LSU (5-1) squares off against Tulsa Saturday at 1 p.m. and Florida State Sunday at 12 p.m. at the W.T. “Dub” Robinson Tennis Stadium.
Coach Tony Minnis said the only effect the layoff should have on the Lady Tigers is a positive one — an opportunity to rest.
“I don’t think [the layoff] will have much of an effect,” Minnis said. “We had two really tough matches last week in Rice and Houston. I can’t really see it affecting us.”
The Lady Tigers dropped from the rankings after losing to Rice, 4-3, on Feb. 6 in Houston. But LSU responded to its first blemish of the season, edging Houston 4-3 three days later.
LSU swept the doubles against Houston and three Lady Tigers — Lauren Seaman, Staten Spencer and Tiffany Tucker — won singles matches to seal the victory.
Minnis said although LSU defeated Houston, the two away matches had a psychological affect on the Lady Tigers.
“I didn’t think against Houston or Rice we played with enough confidence,” Minnis said.
Both Tulsa and Florida State made the NCAA Tournament last season, and Minnis said they have recorded some impressive victories so far this season.
Tulsa (5-3) comes into Baton Rouge riding the high of a 5-2 upset against No. 24 Oklahoma on Wednesday. The Golden Hurricane boast a pair of rankings — Daniela Muscolino is the No. 54-ranked singles player, and Muscolino and teammate Carla Zabaleta make up the No. 57-ranked doubles team in the nation.
Florida State (2-2) defeated LSU-rival and 33rd-ranked Alabama 5-2 on Feb. 12. FSU’s Mihaela Moldovan recorded a 6-4, 6-4 upset in singles play against Alabama’s Robin Stephenson, the No. 8-ranked singles player in the nation. Moldovan and teammate Lindsay Deason also engineered a 9-8 upset of No. 12 Stephenson and Ashley Bentley in doubles play.
“We are expecting a pair of wars this weekend,” Minnis said. “Everybody you step on the court with is going to be competitive.”