LUBBOCK, Texas — No. 22 LSU got off to a fast start by winning the doubles point but it wasn’t enough as No. 16 Texas Tech fought back to take four singles points and earn a spot in the Sweet 16 Saturday afternoon at the McLeod Tennis Center.
LSU finished the season with a record of 20-11. This team is just the third in school history to reach the 20-win mark in a season.
“We started off pretty strong with doubles but we started to tighten up a little bit at the end,” head coach Julia Sell said. “In singles, the biggest difference was that no one on this team has gone this far into NCAA Championships and been in this type of situation. We didn’t handle the magnitude of the situation and we didn’t execute. That makes it a very painful way to end a phenomenal season because we didn’t play our best.”
The Lady Tigers took the top two courts in doubles play to earn the first point and take the momentum. After court three dropped, Abby Owens and Skylar Kuykendall defeated Lynn Kiro and Sabrina Federici, 8-3, to even doubles. Joana Vale Costa and Noel Scott defeated No. 33 Kenna Kilgo and Gabriela Talaba, 8-5, to clinch the point for LSU.
The Red Raiders roared back in singles and took the first set on five of six courts. Sarah Dvoark evened the match with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Abby Owens on court three.
Vale Costa added the long singles point with her win on court one. The sophomore defeated No. 70 Kenna Kilgo 6-2, 6-1 to give LSU a 2-1 lead.
Texas Tech built off the momentum of winning the first set on five courts and won three courts in a row to take the win.
No. 74 Lynn Kiro defeated senior Noel Scott 6-1, 6-2 on court four. It was the final match for Scott as a Lady Tiger.
No. 68 Skylar Kuykendall fell to Gabriela Talaba 6-3, 6-4 on court two to give Texas Tech the 3-2 lead.
Katelyn Johnson wrapped up the match for Texas Tech on court six. Jackson defeated Skylar Holloway 7-5, 7-5.
“This season has been absolutely incredible for this team and program,” Sell said. “As a staff, we are beyond proud of the athletes and human beings that they are. We’ve broken so many records and our program has made tremendous leaps. I’m proud of the way they fought today but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.”
LSU reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament for just the sixth time in school history. Although the team season is over, Vale Costa travels to Waco, Texas for the NCAA Singles Championships May 20-25.
“Jo did a great job today and controlled the match to get a point for us,” Sell said. “She’s not done and will get to come back for singles championships in a couple of week. Joana and Noel also have a shot for doubles championships.”
For more information on the program, follow the Lady Tigers on Twitter @lsuwten and @LSUJuliaSell, on Instagram @LSUWTen and on www.Facebook.com/lsuwten.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
ROUND OF 32
#16 Texas Tech 4, #22 LSU 2
Lubbock, Texas (McLeod Tennis Center)
Singles
1. #29 Joana Vale Costa (LSU) def. #70 Kenna Kilgo (TT) 6-2, 6-1
2. Gabriela Talaba (TT) def. #68 Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Sarah Dvorak (TT) def. Abigail Owens (LSU) 6-4, 6-1
4. #74 Lynn Kiro (TT) def. Noel Scott (LSU) 6-1, 6-2
5. #124 Sabrina Federici (TT) vs. Ella Taylor (LSU) 6-1, 5-3, unfinished
6. Katelyn Jackson (TT) def. Skylar Holloway (LSU) 7-5, 7-5
Doubles
1. #33 Joana Vale Costa/Noel Scott (LSU) def. #34 Kenna Kilgo/Gabriela Talaba (TT) 8-5
2. Skylar Kuykendall/Abigail Owens (LSU) def. Lynn Kiro/Sabrina Federici (TT) 8-3
3. Sarah Dvorak/Katelyn Jackson (TT) def. Skylar Holloway/Ella Taylor (LSU) 8-4
Records: #22 LSU 20-11; #16 Texas Tech 21-6
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (3,1,4,2,6)
Notes: Texas Tech has won a school-record 21 matches, eclipsing the mark of 20 set in 1988.
T-2:50 A-587