University of Houston Athletics
No. 70 Tennis Ready for No. 46 LSU
2/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Feb. 28, 2006
HOUSTON - A pair of 6-1 ranked squads will clash Wednesday when the No. 70 University of Houston tennis team squares off against No. 46 Louisiana State at W.T. Dub Robinson Stadium in Baton Rouge.
The Cougars will be looking for its second victory over a ranked opponent from the Southeastern Conference. Houston knocked off then-No. 33 Mississippi State back on February 2.
"It would great win for our program to find a way to win against another SEC school on the road," head coach John Severance said. "That's what we're shooting for. I think the pressure is on them to win at home. For us we're going in there, and we're going to go after them."
LSU has won 12 of 14 all-time meetings but the team teams played to a 4-3 meeting last season in Houston. That result from a season ago is encouraging to Severance.
"We know that we can play with them after last year's meeting," Severance said. "That's also lingering in their mind as well. Both teams are beat up a little bit but it's still going to be a good match."
The Cougars enter the match winning the doubles point in all seven dual matches this season, while the Tigers have reached the same feat in six of seven matches.
"The big difference for us in doubles this season is that our pairs were solidified after the fall season," Severance said. "We have a more talented team than in years past and more importantly we're playing doubles within ourselves. Players are paired with each other that have the same strategy out there."
First serve is slated for noon. Both teams have matched up with Texas A&M this season dropping identical 5-2 decisions to the Aggies.
Houston returns to Hoff Courts this weekend for a pair of matches against Texas State and Texas-Arlington.
