The road to a national championship is paved with grit, talent, and unwavering belief—and for the Ohio State University women’s tennis team, that road now leads to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Buckeyes are gearing up for a Friday showdown with LSU in the Super Regional round of the 2025 NCAA Championship, a high-stakes clash that promises to test every ounce of their resolve and skill.
It’s been a season defined by determination and dominance for Ohio State. With a core group of experienced veterans and a promising crop of young stars, the Buckeyes have fought their way through a competitive schedule to reach this point. Their hard-earned path to the Super Regional has been marked by big wins, clutch performances, and a clear sense of purpose. Now, just one step away from the NCAA Elite Eight, the Buckeyes are focused, hungry, and ready for the challenge that LSU presents.
Ohio State enters the Super Regional with momentum and confidence. The Buckeyes cruised through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament, dispatching their opponents with clinical efficiency and composure. Their opening-round win over Eastern Kentucky set the tone early, as Ohio State showed its depth and versatility across the board. In the second round, the Buckeyes faced a tougher test in No. 17 seed Texas A&M, but rose to the occasion with poise, securing a 4-2 win in front of a passionate home crowd in Columbus.
Now, with the stakes raised and the competition even fiercer, Ohio State knows that every point, every serve, and every rally could make the difference between advancing and going home. Friday’s Super Regional will be played on LSU’s home courts in Baton Rouge, giving the Tigers a home-court advantage and presenting an added layer of difficulty for the Buckeyes. But head coach Melissa Schaub and her players have never shied away from adversity. In fact, they thrive in it.
Schaub, now in her 13th season leading the Buckeyes, has built one of the nation’s most respected and consistent programs. Her teams are known for their discipline, intensity, and resilience—qualities that are especially vital in postseason play. Under her leadership, Ohio State has made regular appearances in the NCAA Tournament and developed a reputation for being a tough out in every bracket. This year, the Buckeyes appear poised to make a deeper run, armed with both experience and the hunger to take the next step.
One of the biggest reasons for Ohio State’s success this season has been the stellar play of its top singles players. Junior standout Sydni Ratliff has been a force all year long, providing leadership at the top of the lineup and often setting the tone for the entire team. Her aggressive style of play and mental toughness have earned her national recognition and made her a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ postseason hopes.
Alongside Ratliff, sophomore Shelly Bereznyak has made huge strides in her development, becoming a reliable and dangerous presence in the middle of the lineup. Her ability to win tough three-set matches has been crucial in tight contests, and her confidence has grown with each match. In doubles, the pair of Irina Cantos Siemers and Isabelle Boulais has continued to shine, giving Ohio State an edge in the early stages of every match. Their chemistry and communication on the court have been a highlight all season.
Ohio State’s depth has also played a critical role. From top to bottom, the Buckeyes feature a lineup that can grind out points and wear down opponents. Whether it’s in a No. 1 singles battle or a pivotal doubles match on Court 3, every player on Schaub’s roster understands their role and delivers with purpose. The team’s balance between veterans and underclassmen creates a blend of experience and energy that’s hard to match.
Of course, the Buckeyes will need to be at their best against LSU. The Tigers are a formidable opponent, boasting one of the most talented rosters in the nation. Led by head coach Julia Sell, LSU has emerged as a national power in recent years and enters the Super Regional with plenty of confidence of their own. Playing in front of their home crowd at the LSU Tennis Complex, the Tigers will look to dictate the pace early and capitalize on any Buckeye miscues.
LSU’s strength lies in its aggressive play style and deep roster, headlined by star singles player Anastasia Sysoeva, a senior who has delivered clutch performances throughout the regular season and into the tournament. Alongside her, the Tigers feature a mix of international talent and local flair, giving them a dangerous combination of skill and versatility. Their doubles pairs are known for their fast starts and quick net play, meaning Ohio State will need to come out strong from the very first serve.
For the Buckeyes, preparation will be key. With several days between their second-round win and Friday’s Super Regional, the team has focused on recovery, sharpening fundamentals, and building a game plan tailored to LSU’s tendencies. Much of the preparation has centered around maintaining mental focus and embracing the challenge of going on the road. While Baton Rouge may be a hostile environment, Ohio State’s players are embracing the opportunity to prove themselves under pressure.
“Our team is excited for the challenge,” Coach Schaub said earlier this week. “LSU is a great team, and we know it’s going to take everything we have to win. But that’s what this time of year is all about. These are the moments we train for, and our players are ready to leave it all on the court.”
This matchup also holds historical significance. While Ohio State and LSU have crossed paths before, this will mark one of the highest-stakes meetings between the programs in recent memory. Both teams are looking to cement their place among the nation’s elite, and a trip to the Elite Eight would be a major statement. For the Buckeyes, advancing past the Super Regional would be a validation of the program’s steady rise and a testament to the work of Schaub and her players over the past decade.
The Super Regional format also adds to the intensity. With only one match determining who moves on, there’s no margin for error. Every point becomes magnified, every set critical. The energy from the crowd, the pressure of the moment, and the weight of a season’s worth of work all come crashing together in a winner-takes-all contest that leaves no room for hesitation.
As Friday’s match approaches, the excitement among Buckeye fans is palpable. Alumni, family members, and supporters from across the country are rallying behind the team, sending messages of encouragement and pride. Social media has lit up with good luck posts, while Buckeye Nation prepares to watch and support from afar. The sense of community around the program is stronger than ever—and the players feel it.
“It means everything to have the support of Buckeye Nation,” said team captain Sydni Ratliff. “We carry that with us every time we step on the court. We know we’re playing for something bigger than ourselves.”
That spirit will be crucial on Friday. In what promises to be a fiercely contested match between two of the best teams in the country, the Buckeyes will need to lean on each other, stay mentally tough, and seize key moments when they arise. It will take poise, preparation, and a little bit of magic—but this team believes it’s ready.
Win or lose, Ohio State has already shown what it’s made of. The journey to the Super Regional has been one filled with growth, resilience, and belief in a shared goal. But this team isn’t satisfied with just making it this far—they want more. And come Friday, they’ll have the chance to take the next step toward a national title.
With passion, preparation, and plenty of fight, the Buckeyes are bound for battle. Baton Rouge aw
