March 16, 2011
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The 21st-ranked Arizona State women’s tennis team (10-3) is enjoying shuffling the collegiate tennis rankings, as the Sun Devils knocked off another ITA top-10 ranked team for the second-straight match. This time with ASU defeating ninth-ranked USC on the road 4-3 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Senior Micaela Hein
“In order to beat a good team, you’re going to have to be able to come back after losing the doubles point,” said head coach Sheila McInernery. “I’m really happy the way the girls came out and played singles. We have a good team here.”
Despite losing the doubles point 0-3 to the Trojans, Arizona State showed it’s resiliency and tenacity as it battled for every point in the singles match ups. The Sun Devils won the second, third, fourth and fifth spots to take the entire match, with sophomore Hannah James once again clinching the victory for ASU with a win over USC’s Alison Ramos, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.
“Two through five [in the line-up] played tough as nails,” said McInerney. “Today’s match was a lot like the Cal and Duke matches from last week, very nitty gritty tennis being play.”
Senior Micaela Hein, playing in the third spot for ASU recorded the first points for the Sun Devils after USC mounted a 3-0 lead. Hein defeated Trojan Kaitlin Christian, 6-3, 6-4.
“For her to come back and win a tough match today, after dropping tough matches to Duke and Cal, was awesome,” said McInerney. “To have her be the first points up on the board for ASU, was really rewarding.”
Freshman Jacqueline Cako, who entered the top-20 singles rankings at 16th, extended her singles winning streak to 16, as well, with a win over No. 25 Danielle Lao, 6-3, 6-3. Senior Kelcy McKenna, No. 17, dropped her match against top-ranked Maria Sanchez of USC. The No. 1-ranked Sanchez defeated McKenna 6-0, 6-3 in the first spot.
As for the team’s ability to overcome a 0-3 deficit on the road, McInerney believes the win not only validated the players but it might raise awareness to the talent of the Arizona State tennis.
“I think you have to beat a good team on the road and beating USC on the road certainly helps. I think it says a lot today [about ASU Tennis], going out and beating a good team like SC.”
#21 Arizona State 4, #9 USC 3
March 16, 2011 -- Marks Stadium
DOUBLES
(1) #7 Christian/Sanchez (USC) def. #30 Hein/McKenna (ASU) -- 8-4
(2) Kinstler/Lao (USC) def. Brycki/Cako (ASU) -- 8-4
(3) Andrews/Ramos (USC) def. #57 Brown/Simmons (ASU) -- 8-3
USC wins doubles point.
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3
SINGLES
(1) #1 Maria Sanchez (USC) def. #17 Kelcy McKenna (ASU) -- 6-0, 6-3
(2) #16 Jacqueline Cako (ASU) def. #25 Danielle Lao (USC) -- 6-3, 6-3
(3) Micaela Hein (ASU) def. Kaitlyn Christian (USC) -- 6-3, 6-4
(4) #111 Hannah James (ASU) def. Alison Ramos (USC) -- 7-5, 2-6, 6-4*
(5) Michelle Brycki (ASU) def. Cristala Andrews (USC) -- 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-3
(6) Lyndsay Kinstler (USC) def. Ashlee Brown (ASU) -- 6-1, 6-4
Order of finish: 1, 6, 3, 2, 5, 4*