BATON ROUGE — The LSU women’s tennis team will look to play giant-killer on Friday at 4 p.m. when it hosts No. 11 Tennessee at W.T. “Dub” Robinson Stadium.
The Lady Tigers (7-6, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) meet the Lady Vols (11-3, 3-1) in the first match of a tough weekend. LSU will also face fifth-ranked Georgia on Sunday.
“This is a tough weekend for us,” said Lady Tiger head coach Tony Minnis. “Both teams that are coming into town are outstanding and we will need to be at our best.”
Tennessee brings a lineup to Baton Rouge that features the No. 3 singles player in the nation, Vilmarie Castellvi. She also teams up with Melissa Schaub to form the nation’s fifth-ranked doubles team. The Lady Vols also feature 56th-ranked Crystal Cleveland, who is the reigning SEC Player of the Wee after extending her win streak to 11 last weekend.
“Tennessee certainly has some very talented players in their lineup. I think the key for us will be to just try to play our game and take it one point at a time,” Minnis added.
LSU is coming off of two straight losses last weekend, each at home. Tennessee has won three straight and six of its last seven. In the series the Lady Vols have taken three straight.
The Lady Tigers line up will feature Rocio Fantili, Daysi Espinal and Marina Chiarelli, who are all tied for the team lead in wins this year with 14. Fantili teams with Lauren Seamen to forge LSU’s top doubles pair at 11-8 on the year.