AUSTIN, Texas — LSU will face 20th-ranked Texas in their first away match of the season Saturday at 1 p.m. for a chance to extend their perfect record.
The Longhorns will be the 15th-ranked Tigers (5-0) toughest test this season at Penick-Alison Stadium, where the home team has lost just four matches in the past four seasons.
“We are fired up to play Texas and find out what we’re capable of on the road,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown. “We have a lot of players who are experienced at playing in hostile environments and that should pay dividends.”
The Longhorns feature the 31st-ranked doubles team in the nation, Ryan Haymond and Antonio Ruiz. Jose Zarhi is ranked 73rd in singles.
The Tigers have beat the Big 12 power in their last two meetings, including a 4-3 win last year in Baton Rouge.
The Tigers’ 35th-ranked Jason Hazley and Bryan Fisher have not lost a doubles match in the dual season. Neither have freshman Danny Bryan and senior Cory Ross, who are 13-1 overall.
Freshman Ken Skupski, ranked 33rd, has won all his dual matches at No. 1 and 2 singles and has a 16-4 record this season.
Still, Brown knows the Longhorns, who were ranked as high as 13th earlier this season, are going to be a challenge.
“We will play this match with the same intensity we would play our rivals in the SEC,” Brown said.