LSU Tigers Women's Tennis Secures ITA Indoor Berth with Dominant Win Over Florida

San Jose State Spartan Tennis Complex
San Jose State Spartan Tennis Complex | David Madison/GettyImages

The No. 22-ranked LSU Tigers women's tennis team delivered a statement performance this weekend, defeating the No. 19 Florida Gators 4-1 in the ITA Kickoff Weekend championship match. With the victory, the Tigers punched their ticket to the prestigious ITA National Women's Team Indoor National Championship for the first time since 2019, marking another milestone in what is shaping up to be a standout season.

The Tigers showcased their depth in front of a home crowd at the LSU Tennis Complex, avenging last year's loss to Florida in the same event. LSU's doubles pair set the tone early, with the duo of Anita Sahdiieva and Kenna Ericson securing a crucial 6-3 win on Court 2. The Tigers won the doubles point after the No. 1 pair Kinna Graham and Aran Teixidó-Garcia battled to a 6-4 victory, giving LSU the early boost.

In singles play, the Tigers continued to dominate. Junior Graham, ranked No. 43 nationally, delivered a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win over Florida's Emily De Oliveira on Court 1, extending LSU's lead. Florida briefly fought back with a win on Court 3, but the Tigers quickly shut the door. Anita Sahdiieva, a senior, sealed the victory with a gritty 6-4, 6-4 win on Court 2, while Garcia clinched the match with 6-3, 6-3 triumph on Court 4.

"We've been building toward this moment, and to see the players execute under pressure against a tough opponent like Florida is incredibly rewarding. This is just the beginning for us."
LSU Head Coach Taylor Fogleman

The win not only avenged last year's ITA Kickoff Weekend loss to the Gators but also propels LSU into the ITA National Indoor, set to take place in Seattle, Washington, from Feb 9-12. The tournament will feature the nation's top 16-teams, and the Tigers look to capitalize as they face elite competition.

For Florida, the loss marks a rare early-season setback. The Gators, who has advanced to the championship match with a 4-0 win over Miami, struggled to match LSU's intensity in key moments. Despite the defeat, Florida remains a formidable contender in the SEC and will look to regroup as the season progressed.

NCAA TENNIS CHAMPS
NCAA TENNIS CHAMPS | J.D. Cuban/GettyImages

With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, LSU is looking to make noise not only in Seattle but throughout the 2025 season. If the weekend's performance is any indication, LSU is more than up for the challenge.

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