Sept. 25, 2010
Berkeley, Calif.-- The Arizona State women's tennis team wrapped up a successful first day of competition at the Cal Nike Invitational yesterday, Sept. 24. The Sun Devils were victorious in all doubles matches, and three will continue to the quarterfinals in singles play.
“Overall, the girls played well,” said head coach Sheila McInerney. “I thought it was a good day. We all won our doubles. It was a lot of tennis, a very long day.”
Kelcy McKenna opened her senior year with a stellar sweep of Minnesota's Alessandra Ferrazi, defeating her 6-0, 6-4 in the round of 32. She continued to the round of 16, where she also swept Jaklin Alawi of Long Beach State, 6-2, 6-3.
Michelle Brycki was also victorious in her singles matches, opening with a win against Christina Goehl from Pacific 6-2, 6-3. She faced a challenge in the round of 16, where she defeated Catherine Isip from St. Mary's in a difficult three sets.
“It was a tough three-setter, she won 7-6 in the third against Isip, who's a good player,” said Coach McInerney.
Sophomore Hannah James got her season off to a good start, defeating Laura Pola of Fresno State 6-4, 6-3. James fell in the round of 16 to Annie Goransson of California, 6-1, 6-3. Junior Sianna Simmons lost her opening match in a difficult set of three against Tatsiana Kapshai of Sacramento State, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, and lost her consolation match against Fresno State's Marianne Jodoin 6-1, 6-2. Senior Micaela Hein also fell in the round of 32 to Klaudia Malenovska of Long Beach State, but came back to sweep her consolation match against Minnesota's Alexa Palen.
Brycki, McKenna and Hein will advance to the quarterfinals, which begins Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Brycki and McKenna are schedule to play against one another, while Hein will take on Arizona's Sarah Landsman.
In doubles, all three Sun Devils duos won their matches. Ashlee Brown made her debut alongside James in a win over Jenny Jullien and Laurie Gingras of St. Mary's 8-4. McKenna and Hein defeated Alawi and Malenovska of Long Beach State 8-4, and Brycki and Simmons won against Pola and Jodoin of Fresno State 8-3.
The Sun Devils will continue their play in the Cal Nike Invitational through Sunday.