BATON ROUGE — The No. 25-ranked LSU men’s tennis team will take a break from its conference schedule Thursday when it takes on 19th-ranked Texas A&M at W.T. Robinson Tennis Stadium at 2 p.m.
“This has really become a great rivalry over last few years,” said LSU head coach Jeff Brown. “We’ve been lucky enough to take the last two matches form them, but we know it will be tough Thursday.”
The two teams are 9-9 all-time against each other and, Thursday’s match will be crucial to both teams’ chances to host an NCAA Regional.
Texas A&M (5-4, 0-0 Big 12) got off to a rough start, dropping four straight road matches, all of which were against ranked opposition. Since then the Aggies have rebounded, winning five in a row, including a, 4-1, victory over No. 2 Illinois on Sunday.
“Last match they beat Illinois, so we know what they’re capable of,” said Brown. “This will to be a great match and we’re looking forward to continuing a great rivalry.”
The Aggies feature some ranked competitors that ought to challenge the Tiger lineup. Texas A&M captain, Jerry Makowski is currently ranked 25th in the nation in singles and should have a great match up with LSU’s No. 1 singles player, 38th-ranked Ken Skupski, who is coming off two straight ranked wins.
The No. 1 doubles court should also showcase an intense battle, as LSU’s 18th-ranked Skupski and partner Mark Growcott will take on Texas A&M’s top doubles pair in 21st-ranked Brett Joelson and Bryan Wooten.
The Tigers will continue follow up Thursday’s contest with another non-conference matchup against in state rival UL-Lafayette.