TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The LSU women’s tennis team has a chance to win its second straight Southeastern Conference match and third in a row overall as it travels to face Alabama at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Lady Tigers have won two straight, both road contests at Purdue and Auburn.
“We have a lot of confidence going into this match,” head coach Tony Minnis said. “We’ve won two straight matches against two good teams. We just have to make sure we go in there ready to play.”
With an even record of 9-9 (2-7 SEC), defeating Alabama could also give LSU its 10th win overall and bring the Lady Tigers back above .500 for the season. They are 22-8 all-time against Alabama, including a 4-3 win last year in Baton Rouge.
Alabama also won its second SEC match of the season Friday at home versus Arkansas. They are 7-11 overall and currently 29th in the ITA rankings.
Robin Stephenson and Ashley Bentley lead the Crimson Tide into action. At 10-7 in dual matches at the No.1 spot, including a win over then-No. 7-ranked Audra Falk of Vanderbilt, Stephenson ranks at No. 8 in the country. At 13-4 individually in dual matches at the No. 2 slot, Bentley lists at No. 58.
“They are two great players, but Amanda (Mang) had a good win Friday and Lauren (Seaman) is working on getting her timing back, and we should be able to go out there and fight them hard,” Minnis said.
The pair of Stephenson and Bentley also ranks in doubles at No. 33, along with teammates Mari Muller and Melissa Day, who are 55th.
The Lady Tigers are 2-7 in the doubles point in the SEC, winning it only in their two victories over South Carolina and Auburn.
“Doubles is going to be huge in this match, because it could give us a big momentum to win the match if we start off with an early lead,” Minnis commented.
The three Lady Tigers at the bottom half of the singles lineup have each put together streaks that are on the line at Alabama. Marina Chiarelli has won three straight at the No. 4 spot, Tiffany Tucker four straight at No. 5 and Camila Caliari five in a row in the No. 6 slot.
This match marks the third for the Lady Tigers in five days. Having added a match against Louisiana-Lafayette on Tuesday, they will have three more matches next week in concluding the regular season.