April 18, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz.--The 29th-ranked ASU Women's Tennis team finished the dual season on a high note, with a strong win over in-state rival Arizona, 5-2. The conference match was the last 2009 home game for the Devils, as well as Senior Day, in which the team honored senior Laila Abdala. The match boosts the Devils to 11-8 (4-4 Pac-10), while dropping the Arizona Wildcats 10-10 (1-7 Pac 10).
The Devils swept doubles action as Kelcy McKenna and Michelle Brycki quickly put away Ariane Masschelein and Jane Huh 8-3 in the number three spot. On the number two court duo Sianna Simmons and Ashlee Brown swiftly defeated Danielle Steinberg and Sarah Landsman 8-6. In their final home matchup as a doules pair, sisters Laila and Nadia Abdala fought hard against Claire Rietsch and Natasha Marks. Initially trailing the Wildcat duo, the Abdala's fought back to triumph over Rietsch and Marks 9-7 in the number one spot.
Singles play was full of excitement for the maroon and gold team, starting out with Ashlee Brown's massive win over Jane Huh, 6-0, 6-1 on court five. The team stumbled a bit, as freshman Michelle Brycki found herself unable to get the better of Ariane Masschelein, falling 3-6, 2-6 on court four. However, they quickly rallied back as Sianna Simmons emerged victorious from her match against Claire Rietsch, 6-1, 6-4. The final three matches were full of suspense--each going to a three set tie-breaker. Junior Nadia Abdala easily defeated Natasha Marks 6-2 in the first set, but Marks would not go down so easily, taking the second set 7-5. However, Nadia was not to be outdone, rallying back for the win 6-0 on court two. On court three Laila Abdala put up an immense battle against Sarah Landsman, taking the first set 6-2, but dropping the second 7-6. Yet Laila refused to go out defeated in her final home match as a Sun Devil and fought back to win the tie-breaker 6-2. Kelcy McKenna showed outstanding athleticism in her match against Danielle Steinberg on court one, taking the first set 6-2. The Sun Devil sophomore lost her footing in set two however, trailing Steinberg 7-6 (4). Although McKenna fought hard, Steinberg was relentless, winning the match 6-3 for the Wildcats.
"To be honest, I wasn't worried going into this match having lost four in a row. It's all about who you play and how you play and we did very well today," Head Coach Sheila McInerney said.
Senior Laila Abdala was also in her praises: "Laila has been an incredible asset to the team over the last four years. She brings up everyone she plays near--either in doubles or playing on the court next to her. She is just a wonderful kid."
The Devils will now head to Ojai, California to compete in the Pac-10 Championships April 23-26.
No. 29 Arizona State def. No. 68 University of Arizona 5-2
Doubles:
1. Laila Abdala/Nadia Abdala def. Claire Rietsch/Natasha Marks 9-7
2. Sianna Simmons/Ashlee Brown def. Daniella Steinberg/Sarah Landsman 8-6
3. Kelcy McKenna/Michelle Brycki def. Ariane Masschelein/Jane Huh 8-3
*Order of finish: 3, 2, 1.
Singles
1. Danielle Steinberg def. Kelcy McKenna 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-3
2. Nadia Abdala def. Natasha Marks 6-2, 7-5, 6-0
3. Laila Abdala def. Sarah Landsman 6-2, 7-6, 6-2
4. Ariane Masschelein def. Michelle Brycki 3-6, 2-6
5. Ashlee Brown def. Jane Huh 6-0, 6-1
6. Sianna Simmons def. Claire Rietsch 6-1, 6-4
*Order of finish: 5, 4, 6, 2, 3, 1.