Buckeyes Bound for Battle: Ohio State Women’s Tennis Set to Face No. 13 LSU in NCAA Super Regional Showdown

The No. 4 seed Ohio State Buckeyes women’s tennis team is poised for a high-stakes battle as they prepare to host the No. 13 seed LSU Tigers in the NCAA Super Regional round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship. The clash is set for Friday at 4 p.m. ET in Columbus, Ohio, promising a thrilling encounter with a coveted spot in the NCAA quarterfinals on the line.

 

The Buckeyes enter the Super Regional showdown with an impressive 23-3 record on the season. Their journey to this stage saw them successfully navigate the first two rounds of the NCAA Championship on their home courts, dispatching Buffalo with a clean 4-0 sweep before overcoming a resilient Notre Dame squad 4-1 in the second round. Under the guidance of head coach Melissa Schaub, the Ohio State program has consistently demonstrated its prowess, marking their third appearance in the NCAA third round (Super Regionals) in the last five years (2021, 2023, 2025). This marks the first time since the NCAA adopted the Super Regional format in 2022 that the Buckeyes will host this crucial round on their home turf at the Auer Tennis Complex, with the indoor Ty Tucker Tennis Center serving as a contingency plan in case of inclement weather. Standing in their path to the NCAA quarterfinals are the LSU Tigers, who boast a commendable 23-7 overall record, including a 10-5 mark in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference. The Tigers showcased their mettle in the NCAA Tournament’s opening rounds, securing convincing victories over Stephen F. Austin (4-0) and No. 18 USC (4-1) on their home courts in Baton Rouge. This Super Regional appearance marks only the third time in program history that LSU has reached this stage, with their previous berths dating back to 1995 and 2000, highlighting the significance of this matchup for the Tigers as well.

The historical head-to-head record between Ohio State and LSU slightly favors the Tigers, who hold a 2-1 advantage. Their first encounter occurred in the first round of the 1999 NCAA Tournament, where LSU emerged victorious 5-2 in Malibu, California. The teams split their subsequent meetings in Columbus (a 5-2 Buckeye win in 2010) and Baton Rouge (a 4-2 LSU win in 2012), setting the stage for a decisive rubber match with significant postseason implications. Both teams feature highly ranked players who will undoubtedly play pivotal roles in the Super Regional clash. For the Buckeyes, No. 9 Luciana Perry, No. 22 Teah Chavez, No. 75 Sydni Ratliff, No. 112 Audrey Spencer, and No. 116 Nao Nishino are all ranked in singles, showcasing their depth and talent across the lineup. In doubles, the formidable duo of Perry and Chavez hold the No. 22 national ranking, while Spencer and Nishino are also nationally ranked at No. 75. LSU counters with a strong lineup featuring three nationally ranked singles players: No. 11 Cadence Brace, No. 49 Kayla Cross, and No. 104 Gaby Rivera. In doubles, the Tigers boast the No. 5-ranked team in the nation in Brace and Cross, along with the No. 39-ranked pair of Tilwith Di Girolami and Anita Sahdiieva, and the No. 59-ranked tandem of Kenna Erickson and Sahdiieva, highlighting their strength in both singles and doubles play.

The winner of this Super Regional showdown between the Buckeyes and the Tigers will advance to the NCAA quarterfinals, which will be hosted by Baylor University in Waco, Texas, beginning on May 15. Waiting in the quarterfinals will be the winner of the Super Regional match between No. 5 North Carolina and No. 12 NC State, setting up a potential clash of titans as the quest for the national championship intensifies.

For Ohio State, this Super Regional represents an opportunity to reach the NCAA quarterfinals for the second time under head coach Melissa Schaub, with their previous appearance in the final eight coming in 2016. The program’s lone semifinal appearance came in 2017, a mark they will undoubtedly be aiming to surpass this year. The Buckeyes’ strong home record (12-1 this season) will be a crucial factor as they look to leverage the home-court advantage against a formidable LSU squad.

The stakes are high as the Buckeyes and the Tigers prepare to battle for a coveted spot in the NCAA quarterfinals. The clash promises to be a thrilling display of collegiate tennis talent, with both teams boasting impressive records, nationally ranked players, and a burning desire to advance further in the NCAA Championship. The Buckeye faithful will be out in full force, hoping to cheer their team on to a Super Regional victory and a trip to Waco.