LSU Tiger Girls Aim for Back-to-Back Wins at UDA Nationals

BATON ROUGE, La. — The LSU Tiger Girls, Louisiana State University’s acclaimed dance team, are gearing up for the 2025 Universal Dance Association (UDA) Nationals, aiming to secure back-to-back titles in hip-hop and a medal in jazz. The competition, often dubbed the “dance Super Bowl,” will take place in January 2025, marking the culmination of months of rigorous preparation.

The Tiger Girls, who have competed at UDA Nationals for 28 years, are coming off a strong 2024 season with first- and third-place finishes in Division 1A Hip-Hop and Jazz. Their journey to the national stage is fueled by relentless training, teamwork, and a deep sense of sisterhood. “The biggest way to help prepare the team is for all of us to be in the best mindset,” said senior captain Isabella Avila. “We remind each other that we’ve put in the work and it’s time to trust our training.”

Preparation for UDA Nationals is a year-round commitment. The team begins learning routines in August, refining them through the fall and finalizing choreography by November. Their performances are known for their creativity, precision, and emotional resonance. “Our coaches encourage us to always tell a story when we perform,” said senior captain Kennedy Cooks. “The main goal is to entertain and put on a show.”

The Tiger Girls’ dedication has paid off in recent years. In 2022, their viral jazz routine at UDA Nationals garnered millions of views on social media, catapulting the team into the spotlight. “It erupted a whole new fanbase for us,” Avila recalled. “We got a lot of attention from our school and had more fans coming up to us.” The university responded by increasing resources for the team, including access to personal trainers and recovery options.

This year, the team is focused on making history. “The program hasn’t seen a back-to-back win,” Avila said. “That’s what keeps us going. We want to bring another title back for the program.” For freshman Alyx Gardner, the competition is a dream come true. “I was watching their viral routine in high school, and now I get to be on the team,” she said. “I just want to make everyone proud.”

The Tiger Girls’ bond extends beyond the dance floor. Each year, upperclassmen and underclassmen are paired as “sisters,” providing support during the intense Nationals season. “You have someone to go home to and have that support from at the end of the day,” Gardner said. The team’s camaraderie is a cornerstone of their success. “We love the dancing, but what we remember most is the memories we made together,” Avila added.

As the competition approaches, the Tiger Girls are balancing their rigorous training schedule with academic responsibilities. They practice three to four times a week during the school year, increasing to daily rehearsals during Nationals season. Despite the physical and mental demands, the team remains motivated by their shared goals and the legacy they aim to uphold. “We do it for our teammates, the legacy, and for the people we care about,” Avila said. “Our ‘why’ is our biggest motivation.”

With their eyes set on the prize, the LSU Tiger Girls are ready to take the UDA stage once again, showcasing their talent, passion, and unity to the world.