BATON ROUGE — The No.18 LSU women’s tennis team has continued its strong start to the season with back-to-back wins against Rice and Southern in their home opener on Sunday at the LSU Tennis Complex.
LSU swept Rice 7-0 and went on to sweep Southern 4-0 to give the Tigers a 6-0 record overall.
Co-Head Coach Julia Sell on the Match
“I saw a lot of great things. Rice is a really great team. I think they are hands down the best team we have played so far,” said co-head coach Julia Sell. “They have a lot of talent at every spot. Even though this match was 7-0, I think if you break the scores down individually, this was not a 7-0 match. I am really proud of our girls, I thought they raised their level today and stepped up to the challenges today. We had two girls down 0-5 in their first sets and came back to win. That is what we are looking for is our players competing and not stopping until we are shaking hands at the end. I am very happy with today.”
“We love playing alongside the men. If you come in our facility right now, we have so much fun with our men’s coaches and players. I think it is a real family environment we have created. We are trying to do this more and more. Obviously, we have this beautiful facility we want to maximize the potential of. For the players, it is such a unique experience. Normally our schedules are opposite, so the fans get to come out and see both at once.”
MATCH 1 vs. Rice
Doubles Point
The Tigers took the doubles point early against the Owls with two wins on court one and three.
The No. 9-ranked duo of senior Jessica Golovin and sophomore Eden Richardson were the first off of the court after defeating the No. 55 pair of Michaela Haet and Linda Huang, 6-2.
LSU secured the doubles point when the No.30-ranked couple sophomore Taylor Bridges and junior Paris Corley to the 6-4 victory over Victoria Smirnova and Anna Bowtell.
Singles Results
Golovin brought LSU’s score to 2-0 after finishing the contest against Victoria Smirnova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, on court two.
Vasilyuk finished strong on with a 6-2, 6-0 victory on court six against Priya Niezgoda to extend the LSU’s lead over the Owls to 3-0.
The No.13-ranked Richardson clinched the win for the Tigers after a 7-6(4), 6-3 win over Michaela Haet.
MATCH 2 vs. Southern
Doubles Point
LSU got off to an early lead in the match after taking the doubles point.
On court three the No. 30-ranked duo of Corley and Bridges claimed their second win of the day after defeating Anya King and Nandi Munyulwa, 6-0.
The No. 9-ranked tandem of Richardson and Golovin clinched the point after finishing 6-1 over Tanaka Chakunyuka and Rufaro Chirewa on court one to give LSU the 1-0 lead.
Singles Results
Johnson, the No. 72 singles player gave the Tigers their second point after winning in straight sets, 6-2, 6-0, on court four against Munyulwa.
Bridges shut out Stephanie Mbaya in straight sets 6-0, 6-0, and LSU took the 3-0 lead.
Vasilyuk clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-1, victory over D’Jeri Raymond.
Next Up
The Tigers will travel to Seattle, Washington to compete in National Indoor Team Championships February 8-11. This is the second time in program history that LSU will be competing.
Social Center
For more information on the LSU women’s tennis program follow the Tigers on Twitter @lsuwten and @LSUJuliaSell, on Instagram @LSUWTen and on www.Facebook.com/lsuwten.
#18 LSU 7, Rice 0
Singles
#13 Eden Richardson (LSU) def. Michaela Haet (RICE) 7-6 (0-4), 6-3
Jessica Golovin (LSU) def. Victoria Smirnova (RICE) 6-1, 6-4
Taylor Bridges (LSU) def. Anastasia Smirnova (RICE) 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 (10-2) #72 Kennan Johnson (LSU) def. Linda Huang (RICE) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Paris Corley (LSU) def. Anna Bowtell (RICE) 0-6, 6-3, 7-5
Luba Vasilyuk (LSU) def. Priya Niezgoda (RICE) 6-2, 6-0
Doubles
#9 Eden Richardson/Jessica Golovin (LSU) def. #55 Michaela Haet/Linda Huang (RICE) 6-2
Anastasia Smirnova/Priya Niezgoda (RICE) def. #54 Anna Loughlan/Kennan Johnson (LSU) 6-4 #30 Paris Corley/Taylor Bridges (LSU) def. Victoria Smirnova/Anna Bowtell (RICE) 6-4
Match Notes:
Rice 2-2
LSU 5-0; National ranking #18
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (2,1,6,3,5,4) Official: Richie Weaver
#18 LSU 4, Southern 0
Singles
#13 Eden Richardson (LSU) vs. Tanaka Chakanyuka (SUBR) 6-1, 5-1, unfinished
Jessica Golovin (LSU) vs. Rufaro Chirewa (SUBR) 6-1, 3-4, unfinished
Taylor Bridges (LSU) def. Stephanie Mbaya (SUBR) 6-0, 6-0
#72 Kennan Johnson (LSU) def. Nandi Munyulwa (SUBR) 6-2, 6-0
Luba Vasilyuk (LSU) def. D’Jeri Raymond (SUBR) 6-1, 6-0
Anna Loughlan (LSU) vs. Anya King (SUBR) 6-2, 4-0, unfinished
Doubles
#9 Eden Richardson/Jessica Golovin (LSU) def. Tanaka Chakanyuka/Rufaro Chirewa (SUBR) 6-1
#54 Kennan Johnson/Anna Loughlan (LSU) vs. Stephanie Mbaya/D’Jeri Raymond (SUBR) 5-1, unfinished
Anya King/Nandi Munyulwa (SUBR) vs. #30 Paris Corley/Taylor Bridges (LSU) 6-0
Match Notes:
Southern 0-3
LSU 6-0; National ranking #18
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (4,3,5) Official: Richie Weaver