The LSU men are likely to face their toughest test of the season when they travel to Austin, Texas.
The Tigers will duel against the No. 20 Texas Longhorns, who are 3-0 at home this season and won 27 of their last 29 matches at the Penick-Allison Tennis Center.
The No. 15 Tigers (5-0) handily defeated Southeastern Louisiana 6-1 and Centenary 6-0 Sunday. Monday they defeated No. 71 Louisiana Lafayette,
their first ranked opponent of the season, with a little more resistance by a final 5-2 score. The three victories add up to an 80-game winning streak against in-state opponents for LSU.
The Tigers have only one remaining opponent not currently ranked in the 75-team International Tennis Association national poll.
The Longhorns are not that team. They are equally hot, coming off a 6-1 victory against Southern Methodist. With the caliber of players the Longhorns have, this match should be much closer than what LSU has faced this season.
LSU coach Jeff Brown said every point should mean a lot more since the two teams are almost evenly matched.
“UL [University of Louisiana-Lafayette] was good, but Texas is definitely the strongest team we faced to this point,” Brown said. “When you look at two teams evenly matched it always comes down to the last match.”
Every point matters when teams are closely matched. That one-point difference could be decided in doubles play, which in effect acts as a tie-breaker in the seven-point scoring system.
“We understand that it is a critical point, we recruit people that play doubles and singles,” Brown said. “We have days where we do just doubles and singles and I’m sure not everyone does that.”
LSU is undefeated in doubles for the dual season, and while all doubles have played their part, no LSU tandem is more reliable than No. 35 Jason Hazley and Bryan Fisher.
Against ULL, Fisher and Hazley soundly defeated Amanjot Singh and Evghenni Cordeaunu 8-4. Fisher and Hazley also won their singles matches, accounting for three of the Tigers’ five points.
Brown said they are a good team to count on.
“They complement each other well,” Brown said. “Jason adds the fire, and Brian adds the calming side to Jason. They also have good serves, good technique, and can rip a return.”
Fisher and Hazley attribute their doubles success to their team depth and added attention toward that event.
“Our depth is very good,” Hazley said. “Our three teams could easily win their matches each time out.”
Fisher said their duo is sucessful because they are familiar with each other.
“This is our second year, and playing together for that much time gives us a lot of confidence,” Fisher said.