Women’s Tennis Upsets No. 28 LSU, 4-3

Wednesday, February 22

New Orleans

2 pm

Tulane University

Louisiana State University

Photo by: Parker Waters

Feb 22, 2017 | Women's Tennis

Green Wave earn first victory over Tigers in post-Katrina era

PRINTABLE BOX | PHOTO GALLERY

NEW ORLEANS – For the first time in the post-Katrina era, the Tulane women's tennis team (11-2) knocked off its in-state rival in No. 28 LSU (7-2), usurping the Tigers 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon at the City Park Pepsi Tennis Center. Tied at 3-3 in the team score, it came down to court six where the Green Wave's Christina Sisti trailed Abby Owens 5-4 in the third set. Sisti then rallied to take it 7-5, handing the Wave their first ranked win on the year as well.

"We talk about playing with heart, really digging deep and trying to find that inner drive to push you past something that you know is going to be really difficult. I can say, across the board, the girls really, really showed what they are made of today," Tulane head coach Terri Sisk stated. "Honestly, I couldn't be any happier. LSU is an incredible program. I thought they played well, but obviously, we're really excited about this win."

Tulane recorded quite the impressive comeback in doubles after LSU notched a quick 6-1 win on court three. Down 3-0 on court one, Elena Muller and Naz Karagoz fought back to take it 6-4 vs No. 43 Valle Costa and Foster, garnering their first ranked win on the year in the process. Then over on court two, Sade Atkinson and Ivone Alvaro rallied down 4-1 to clinch the doubles point with a 7-5 victory.

In singles, LSU jumped out to claim a 2-1 lead with straight-set victories on courts one and three, but Tulane remained in a good position with first-set wins on the remaining four courts.

Next, Muller evened the score with a 6-4, 6-3, victory on court five, picking up her eighth dual win on the year.

Alvaro then recorded a gutsy performance over on court four. Down 6-2 in the first set tiebreak, the freshman rallied off six straight points to take it 7-6(6), before cruising in the second set, 6-3, to push the Wave out ahead.

The Tigers then applied some pressure on the Wave by claiming a three-set win over on court two, before Sisti emerged victorious on court six, improving to a team best 10-1 in dual matches this spring by winning her sixth straight match.

Up next, the Green Wave will look to keep their momentum rolling when they compete at the Blue-Gray Tournament in Tuscaloosa this weekend.

Green Wave Results
Tulane 4, #28 LSU 3
Singles competition – 1, 3, 5, 4, 2, 6
1. #87 Joana Valle Costa (LSU) def. Naz Karagoz (TLN) 6-1, 6-1
2. #95 Ryann Foster (LSU) def. Kyla Klier (TLN) 2-6, 6-0, 6-4
3. #95 Jessica Golovin (LSU) def. Sade Atkinson (TLN) 6-4, 6-1
4. Ivone Alvaro (TLN) def. Becca Weissmann (LSU) 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
5. Elena Muller (TLN) def. Skylar Holloway (LSU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Christina Sisti (TLN) def. Abby Owens (LSU) 6-4, 5-7, 7-5
Doubles competition – 3, 1, 2
1. Naz Karagoz/Elena Muller (TLN) def. #43 Ryann Foster/Joana Valle Costa (LSU) 6-4
2. Sade Atkinson/Ivone Alvaro (TLN) def. Jade Lewis/Becca Weissmann (LSU) 7-5
3. Skylar Holloway/Jessica Golovin (LSU) def. Kyla Klier/Christina Sisti (TLN) 6-1