March 12, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz.—The Arizona State women’s tennis team (9-3, 3-0 Pac-10) upset the seventh-ranked California Golden Bears 4-3 at the Whiteman Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils battled into three sets in the one, three and four spots, needing one victory to take the match.
“We always have battles with Cal,” said head coach Sheila McInerney. “Traditionally it’s a great rivalry. It was hard fought. I give Cal credit.
Sophomore Hannah James’ victory over California’s Tayler Davis secured the win for Arizona State. James fought to take the first set 7-5 but ending up dropping the second set 2-6.
“The third set I knew I had to pull out something special,” said James. “In the second set I lost my concentration. I could get it back if I just focus and play my game right, if I play to win.”
And the James did just that. The sophomore orchestrated the comeback that clinched the match for the Sun Devils, defeating Davis in the third set 6-3.
“It was very rewarding knowing how hard I worked,” said James. “It’s nice to clinch a match but it’s also nice to know you’ve taken the pressure off the other girls on the team.”
Sophomore Jacqueline Cako, ranked No. 30 in the nation, handily defeated Cal’s Mari Andersson in the second spot, extending her singles win streak to 15 straight. Also battling into three sets with third-ranked Jana Juricova, senior Kelcy McKenna took Juricova to 5-5 in the third. However, the Bear eeked out the victory winning the next two points to take the match.
“You have to hand it to them,” said McInerney. “I’m really proud of our kids. We had some tough losses but they’re really resilient. We’re a really good team. For our kids it’s really nice to validate that with a win.”
Arizona State next travels to USC on Wednesday, March 16 to take on the Trojans. Arizona State is currently undefeated in Pac-10 play at 3-0.
Arizona State 4, California 3
Doubles
No. 1 Hein/McKenna (ASU) def. Andersson/Juricova (CAL), 8-3
No. 2 Brycki/Cako (ASU) def. Davis/Goransson (CAL), 8-1
No. 3 Simmons/Brown (ASU) def. Schutting/Chang (CAL), 8-1
Singles
No. 1 Jana Juricova (CAL) def. Kelcy McKenna (ASU), 6-0, 4-6, 7-5
No. 2 Jacqueline Cako (ASU) def. Mari Andersson (CAL) , 6-4, 6-2
No. 3 Annie Goransson (CAL) def. Micaela Hein (ASU), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
No. 4 Hannah James (ASU) def. Tayler Davis (CAL), 7-5, 2-6, 6-3
No. 5 Michelle Brycki (ASU) def. Anett Schutting (CAL), 6-1, 6-3
No. 6 Marina Cossu (CAL) def. Ashlee Brown (ASU), 6-3, 6-0