The No. 10 LSU women’s tennis team lost to No. 7 Texas by a score of 4-2 on Mar. 27 at the LSU Tennis Complex in Baton Rouge.
The result brings LSU’s record to 12-6 overall and an even split of 5-5 in Southeastern Conference play, while Texas improves to a conference mark of 8-2 and an overall record of 13-4.
Head coach Taylor Fogleman said, “This was a tough match for us today. Texas is a very strong and well-coached team. I thought we had some momentum after doubles, but they quickly turned the tide by taking five first-sets, and we just didn’t have the energy we needed to start singles. However, I did like the response from nearly every player after those early setbacks. Overall, it was a great fight, but it’s a tough lesson we have to learn. The girls are hungry to improve, and I know they will. I also know we can coach better. We’ll come together as a group, continue to support each other, and I am confident we’ll turn in a better performance on Sunday against Texas A&M and as we move forward through the season.”
LSU began strongly in doubles play with Addison Lanton and Alexia Marginean winning their match on court three with a score of 6-1 over Carmen Herea and Mathilde Ngijol-Care from Texas. On court two, Kenna Erickson and Ella McDonald secured another win for LSU against Elizabeth Ionescu and Christasha McNeil (6-4), giving LSU the doubles point despite Cadence Brace and Kayla Cross falling short on court one.
In singles competition, victories were hard-fought but limited for LSU as only Lanton managed a win against McNeil (6-2, 6-4). Other matches saw close contests: Cross fell to Abbagnato (0-6, 3-6), Kuhl lost to Ionescu (1-6, 3-6), Brace was defeated by Herea (1-6, 4-6), Graham dropped her match against Ngijol-Carre (2–6; tiebreaker loss in second set), while McDonald’s contest went unfinished.
Looking ahead after this setback at home against Texas—a top-ranked opponent—LSU will host No.3 ranked Texas A&M at noon CT on Sunday at the same venue.
