AUBURN, Ala. — The LSU women’s tennis team is set to compete in singles and doubles at the ITA Southern Regional Oct. 16-19 at Auburn’s Yarbrough Tennis Center.
“Our region is extremely strong so anytime our team goes to this tournament we get in so many good matches,” co-head coach Julia Sell said. “It’s always a great experience to play in this regional. This weekend are going to go out and compete and see how we do.”
The regional features Southeastern Conference teams from Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. In-state schools Nicholls, Northwestern State, McNeese State, ULM, Tulane, Louisiana Tech and ULL will also be competing at the regional.
Thirteen singles players ranked in the ITA/Oracle preseason poll will be competing in the tournament. Junior Joana Vale Costa is ranked 20th and is the highest ranked player in the tournament. Vale Costa is coming off of two successful weekends at the ITA All-American and the Charleston 25K. The Lisbon, Portugal native has already earned victories over Lauren Herring and Virginia Tech’s Francesca Fusinato.
Skylar Kuykendall is ranked 52nd and earned three-set thrillers over Ohio State’s Gabriella De Santis and Baylor’s Kiah Generett at last weekend’s ITA All-American.
Abby Owens competed last weekend at the ITA All-American in singles and doubles. Prior to that, Owens earned five wins at the Northwestern Invite to win her draw.
In addition to singles play, the Lady Tigers will also compete in doubles. Kuykendall and Owens return to the courts for the third tournament this season. The team is 4-2 so far this season. The teams of Foster/Vale Costa and Golovin/Taylor will also be competing for the first time.
Results of the ITA Southern Regional will be available online on Twitter @lsuwten and @LSUJuliaSell, on Instagram @LSUWTen and on www.Facebook.com/lsuwten.