BERKELEY, Calif. — The LSU women’s tennis team is set to open up NCAA tournament play against Washington State in the first round at Hellman Tennis Complex on the campus of eighth-ranked Cal at 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.
The Lady Tigers (14-9) enter the match after a three week layoff. LSU last played on April 18 against No. 16 Arkansas in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
“I expect a very tough match against Washington State,” LSU head coach Tony Minnis said. “The Pac-10 is about as tough a conference as any, and we just have to continue to play with the same positive emotion and poise and put ourselves in a position to be successful.”
Under the direction of Minnis, LSU has made an NCAA postseason appearance for the 14th time in school history and the 13th time in 14 years.
The Lady Tigers are led by 15th-ranked Megan Falcon, who enters the match against the Cougars with a 26-6 overall record, including an 18-4 dual record. On the season, the first-team All-SEC selection has posted 11 wins against ranked opponents.
Sophomore Hannah Robinson is second on the team in both overall and dual wins as she enters the match against Washington State with a 25-8 overall record and a 17-5 dual record. The second-team All-SEC selection has won seven of her last nine matches.
In doubles, 22nd-ranked Falcon and Mykala Hedberg are riding a three-match win streak. Falcon and Hedberg are 12-4 on the season playing at the No. 1 position with a 5-2 record against ranked opponents.
Washington State (16-9) is led by 47th-ranked senior Ekaterina Burduli, who sports a 28-9 record on the season with a 17-7 dual record playing at the No. 1 position.
The Cougars enter the match against the Lady Tigers on a hot streak having won five straight matches to close the regular season.
This will be the first ever meeting between LSU and Washington State.
Lady Tigers Tennis to Face WSU in NCAA First Round