BATON ROUGE — The LSU women’s tennis team has high expectations this season as they put together what head coach Tony Minnis calls the best recruiting class in team history.
LSU’s incoming class was tabbed as the No. 17 class in the nation by tennisrecruiting.net. Additionally, three members of the class were listed as five-star recruits when they signed with LSU. The high profile crew of new faces along with an experienced group of returnees should make for an exciting season of Lady Tiger tennis.
“I am thrilled about this group coming in,” Minnis said. “This is one of the best recruiting classes that we have ever had. With this quality of new talent it raises your expectations that much higher.”
FRESH FACES
Leading the pack of new players is highly touted sophomore Megan Falcon. The California native was a five-star recruit when she signed with LSU and should be a key contributor for the Lady Tigers this season.
“She is a tremendous player and really could have gone anywhere in the country,” Minnis commented. “We were very fortunate to get her. She has a ton of ability and has had experience playing around the world. With her on the team it really stabilizes the team because she can play with anybody in the country.”
Nicole Kantor comes to LSU after an outstanding junior career. The five-star recruit was sought after by many elite programs but chose LSU because of the coaching staff and players. The Missouri native was listed as the 18th-ranked recruit in the nation when she committed to LSU.
The most familiar name among the new Lady Tigers is Hannah Robinson. The Monroe native’s great-grandfather is former LSU men’s tennis coach W.T. “Dub” Robinson, for whom the Tiger’s tennis stadium is named after. In addition, both of her grandfathers are former LSU football standouts. Johnny Robinson played on LSU’s 1958 national championship team and went on to play professionally for the Kansas City Chiefs. Her other grandfather, Dave McCormick, played for LSU from 1963-65 and went on to play for the San Francisco 49ers. This five-star recruit should have no problem continuing the family tradition of Tiger success after she compiled a remarkable high school r?sum?, including going undefeated all throughout high school.
The city of Memphis, Tenn. has become a popular scouting area for the Lady Tigers as both newcomer Ashley Murdock and sophomore Staten Spencer played their high school tennis there at St. Agnes. Murdock is the tallest member of team at 5-10 and is an intimidating force on the court due to her strong work ethic and powerful serve.
“We wanted to make sure we had good depth this season,” Minnis said. “When you deal with injuries or setbacks you want to make sure you have players that are prepared to step right in and make an impact.”
Adding to that depth is walk-on Sloane Mathis. The New Orleans native has shown promise in the first two weeks of practice and should strengthen an already talented group of newcomers.
RETURNEES’ REDEMPTION
For the first time in 12 years, the Lady Tigers did not receive a bid to the NCAA tournament last season. LSU had made the field every year since 1995 before last year, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2000. Even though they lost four seniors last year, the Tigers have four returnees who still have that bitter taste in their mouth from last season’s stunning ending.
“Our four returning players are going to remember that feeling of watching the TV and our name not popping up on the selection show,” Minnis explained. “The NCAA tournament is something we expect to make. We want to make a good run in the tourney and to not even get a bid gives you more of a drive for the next year. Not making the tournament really woke the team up in a sense because they realize that it is not guaranteed.”
The Lady Tiger most eager to get back on the court is Spencer. Spencer led the team in singles wins (27) her freshman season, but was forced to redshirt last season due to back surgery. Spencer has fully recovered and is very confident heading into the fall season.
“It was frustrating not being able to play last season to say the least,” Spencer commented. “Seeing them struggle and not reach the NCAA tournament after we had made it twelve consecutive years was hard.
“When I first started playing again at the beginning of the fall I was very hesitant in what I could do. Now I am very confident in my abilities and I am able to get through some stuff I wasn’t able to before.”
Sophomore Mykala Hedberg made an immediate impact her freshman season after notching nine wins in dual play at the No. 1 slot. The California native will be in a heated competition for the No. 1 slot this season as there will be a group of highly touted recruits eyeing for the slot.
Junior Tiffany Tucker is one of the Lady Tigers’ strongest doubles players. Head coach Tony Minnis is expecting a lot out of the Texas native this season as she is one of only two upperclassmen, along with Anastasiya Dubova, on the team. Tucker understands her leadership role and is excited about guiding the newcomers this season.
“It’s a big change being that we had such a turn around this year losing four seniors,” Tucker said. “Now that we have no seniors on this year’s squad, I am the oldest on the team and in more of a leadership role. It’s always good to have fresh faces and new energy. It has been good so far.”
Dubova’s play was one of the biggest positives from last season. The Ukrainian native notched 16 singles victories last season as opposed to four her freshman campaign. Minnis called Dubova’s level of improvement from her freshman to sophomore year the best he had seen as a coach.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
LSU will be participating in six tournaments in the fall to help prepare for the regular season. Minnis said participating in so many tournaments allows his team to face a variety of talented competition.
“We always want to make sure that every time we step on the court we face strong competition,” Minnis said. “If you are able to beat a number of top notch teams that will set you up in the national rankings and we will be prepared for the regular season.”
The Lady Tigers will take a break from its fall season to give back to the community. On Oct. 29, LSU will host “Duel Under the Oaks,” an event that will help raise money for New Orleans Health Sciences.
The main attraction will be an exhibition tennis match between tennis legend Pete Sampras and former professional tennis star Todd Martin. Before the exhibition there will be a children’s clinic run by LSU’s coaching staff and players at W.T. Robinson Tennis Stadium.
After the clinic the festivities will head to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for the tennis exhibitions. Two members from the men’s team will face each other followed by two members from the women’s team going head-to-head. The finale will be the Sampras vs. Martin showdown.
“I think it will be a great chance to raise money and also promote tennis,” Minnis said. “This state has always been about football and basketball, but to have one of the greatest players of all time in Pete Sampras and an established pro like Todd Martin is really something special for the fans and our program.
“It should put an eye on LSU tennis and bring a community together to continue to help the victims of the hurricanes. Hopefully it is something we can continue to do in the future.”
The Lady Tigers continue their strategy of compiling a tough non-conference schedule as they face many elite programs including Texas A&M and Florida State. The Lady Tigers face 11 teams that reached the NCAA tournament last season.
“What we are trying to do is make sure we have a tough all-around schedule,” Minnis commented. “I would say this is the toughest schedule we have had and I think it is just going to get tougher year after year.”
The Lady Tigers open the 2006-07 season this weekend at the Maryland Invitational.