“Every Day is Game Day” is the LSU women’s tennis team’s theme for the 2014-15 season. With only one senior but plenty of young talent, the Lady Tigers are ready to take the next step towards reaching their championship goals.
The five returnees, Noel Scott, Ella Taylor, Abby Owens, Joana Vale Costa and Skylar Holloway all look to provide experience and leadership for the team. Each member understands coach Julia S. Sell‘s philosophy and that they are the foundation for becoming an elite program.
“Having returned our entire starting line up from last year, we are heading into the 2015 season with a lot more leadership and experience,” Sell said. “We had one of the best falls in program history and that is a direct result of how our team has grown and evolved from the experiences they had last year.”
The two freshmen, Amanda Atanasson and Madara Straume, join the program as another highly touted recruiting class under Sell. The Lady Tigers added another talented player to the program in transfer Skylar Kuykendall.
“Our unofficial theme this year is ‘Every Day is Game Day’ and this team has done an incredible job of embracing what that means,” Sell said. “They’re striving toward being the best versions of themselves.
The Senior
Noel Scott enters the season as the lone senior for the Lady Tigers whose experience and leadership will be crucial.
“As our lone senior, Noel is poised and excited to finish her college career on a high note,” Sell said. “She has put in the time this fall, working on her transition and net game to further develop into an all-court player.”
After attending the University of Texas for two years, Scott transferred to LSU and won 12 singles matches and 6 doubles matches as a junior.
Scott thrives in big matches and performs best when her back is against the wall, making her very dangerous every time she takes the court.
“Noel will be instrumental in guiding this team to new heights as she is unstoppable when she devotes herself to a goal,” Sell said. “I am also very excited to see one of my first recruits here at LSU go all the way to graduation.”
The Juniors
Ella Taylor, from Hampshire, England, led the team in dual match singles victories for the second year in a row with 15 last season. Taylor also posted nine doubles victories during her sophomore campaign.
Along with Scott, Taylor looks to provide leadership for the team as she understands the keys to success in Sell’s program.
“Ella is one of our most mature, reliable players,” Sell said. Her work ethic and passion for the sport are unparalleled and that not only makes her a leader on this team, but it also makes her a very exciting player to watch on game day.”
Taylor’s competitive spirit motivates her teammates, the fans, and has been the cornerstone to the success she has had the last two years.
“Ella has become a more complete player this fall and I think she is poised to have her best spring yet,” Sell said.
Skylar Kuykendall joins the Lady Tigers after transferring from the University of Memphis.
At Memphis, Kuykendall racked up 44 singles victories in two seasons and earned Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors in 2013.
“Taking Skylar as a transfer was one of the best decisions I have ever made,” Sell said. “She jumped right in and made an immediate impact on our team (in the fall).”
Although Kuykendall’s experience with the Lady Tigers is limited, she possesses a tremendous skill set and plenty of experience in collegiate matches.
“Having played No. 1 last year for Memphis, she brings instant leadership and experience to our squad,” Sell said. “Her aggressive style causes a lot of problems for her opponents and I am thrilled to have her in Tiger Stripes.”
The Sophomores
Joana Vale Costa enters her sophomore campaign after a strong freshman year and a landmark sophomore fall season.
This fall, Vale Costa defeated three nationally ranked players, won the Jack Kramer Invitational, and advanced to the semifinals of ITA Regionals.
As a freshman, Vale Costa accumulated 11 victories while playing No. 1 singles for the Lady Tigers. Vale Costa was honored as a member of the 2014 All-SEC Second Team, 2014 All-SEC Freshman Team, and the 2014 ITA Southern Region Rookie of the Year.
“Joana came back after the summer with a renewed determination to work on her game and fitness, allowing her to mature and grow as a player,” Sell Said. “Her improvement was visible week to week physically and emotionally, emerging as a leader on our team.”
Vale Costa will look to carry these positive experiences from the fall with her into the spring in order to help her team be a successful unit.
“I feel like she is only beginning to scratch the surface of her potential and I am excited for her to go into this season more assured and confident,” Sell said.
Skylar Holloway also brings a dynamic skill set and plenty of on-court experience for the Lady Tigers this season.
As a freshman, Holloway posted 14 victories in both singles and doubles. Holloway began the season at the No. 6 spot but moved up to No. 5 after success in dual matches for the Lady Tigers.
“As a freshman, Skylar was one of our breakout stars and easily one of most improved players, making her a crowd favorite,” Sell said. “She approaches each obstacle with a fearless determination and that is why she’s such a huge contributor to this team.”
Holloway looks to continue this improvement after posting a strong season this fall.
“Skylar is learning to use her athleticism as a weapon and her serve has the ability to take over a match,” Sell said. “She is easily the most coachable player I have ever worked with and if she continues down this path, she will be a force this spring.”
Abby Owens has raised her standard of expectations coming into this season after a solid freshman campaign and improved sophomore fall season.
As a freshman, Owens posted 15 singles victories, tying Ella Taylor for most on the team.
“Abby’s incredible fighting spirit spreads throughout the team and has propelled her to being one of our most consistent and exciting players,” Sell said. “She is developing a belief in her ability that is unwavering and that gives her tremendous potential to be a leader on the team. “
The Freshman
Amanda Atanasson comes to LSU from Owings Mill, Maryland where she attended Forest Trail Academy.
Atanasson was ranked as a five-star prospect, reaching a national recruiting ranking as high as 31 in 2013.
“Amanda’s game is extremely versatile which allows her to be offensive from any part of the court,” Sell said. “Her determination and passion maker her a great asset to this team and I’m excited for her to compete for the first time as a Tiger.”
Madara Straume comes to LSU from Jurmala, Lativa where she attended Murjanu Sporta Gimnazija.
Straume competed in both the ITF and the WTA where she captured two wins over Top 10 opponents and three wins over Top 50 opponents.
Straume, a lefty, possesses an aggressive style and powerful serve.
“Madara really keeps her opponents off balance and won her first tournament as a Lady Tiger at Regionals,” Sell said. “When she can impose her game on her opponent, she is very dangerous!”
A Bright Future
Under coach Julia Sell‘s guidance, the program possesses championship goals and is on a path to fulfill them. The players have fully bought into her philosophy and plan, creating trust, confidence, and a family-like atmosphere. These components are only a few of the many Sell emphasizes in becoming an elite program.
Continuing the trend of recruiting excellence during Sell’s tenure, the Lady Tigers have landed blue-chip recruit Jessica Golovin for the 2015 class.
“With the addition of Jessica Golovin and our new facility currently being built, the future of our program is very bright,” Sell said.