Nov. 5, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz.—The Arizona State tennis team wrapped up the second round of the ASU Thunderbird Invitational, Saturday, at the Whiteman Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz.
The Sun Devil pair of Michelle Brycki and Joanna Smith excelled on the doubles court, notching a victory over Fresno State’s Jodoin/McQueen, 8-2, to start off the morning.
Despite the team failing to earn a victory on the singles court, head coach Sheila McInerney finds value in the larger fundamentals gleaned from the tournament as a whole.
“Overall sometimes it looks a little crazy [results wise] but I thought we competed well,” said McInerney. “That’s the big thing with the fall, it really is about the process and building for the spring.”
Brycki, the lone Sun Devil in the main draw, fell in a contested match-up with California’s Anett Schutting, 6-2, 6-2 in the tournament quarterfinals. McInerney was also impressed with the play of freshman Leighann Sahagun, despite the New York City native falling to USD’s Laura Claus, 6-4, 6-4.
“I thought Leighann came out and played a good match,” said McInerney. “She hasn’t played a lot so she physically got a little tired in the second set.”
Heading into the final round, McInerney is optimistic based on what she’s experienced so far with the team.
“We have good team chemistry and cohesion,” said McInerney. “I think out kids are playing well and just need to believe and trust ourselves. The way they’re going, we’re really happy.”
The final round of the ASU Thunderbird Invitational concludes tomorrow at the Whiteman Tennis Center. For match-times view the PDF of the tournament bracket.
ASU Thunderbird Invitational
Saturday, Nov. 5
Doubles
Goransson/Schutting (Cal) def. Sahagun/N. Smith (ASU), 8-1
Brycki/J. Smith (ASU) def. Jodoin/McQueen (FS), 8-2
Turvy/Wowchuck (NW) def. Susanyi/Duranteau (Cal), 8-5
Davis/Estlander (Cal) def. Livadaru (NW)/Simmons (ASU), 8-4
Dodge/Lee (Mich) def. Depenau/Sujica (USD), 8-4
Coupez/Claus (USD) def. Haviland/Cecil (OSU), 8-4
Manashirova/Steele (OSU) def. Stone/Perez (NAU), 8-4
Boncic (KSU)/Becker (OSU) def. Chang/Visico (Cal), 8-1
Main Draw
Quarterfinals
No. 1 Tayler Davis def. No. 5-8 Brooke Bolender, Mich – 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
Anett Schutting, Cal def. Michelle Brycki, ASU – 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 Kate Turvy, NW def. No. 5-8 Annie Goransson, Cal – 2-6, 7-5, 6-1
Zsofi Susanyi, Cal def. No. 2 Marianna Jodoin, FS – 6-2, 6-2
Semifinals
No. 1 Tayler Davis, Cal def. Anett Schutting, Cal – 7-5, 7-5
Zsofi Susanyi, Cal def. Kate Turvy, NW - 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
Consolation, First Round
Quarterfinals
Cecilia Estlander, Cal def. Kara Cecil, OSU – 6-1, 6-2
Kristin Dodge, Mich def. Fidan Manashirova, OSU – 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-1
Laura Claus, USD def. Leighann Sahagun, ASU – 6-4, 6-4
Michelle Sulahian, Mich def. Kelsey Haviland, OSU, 7-5, 7-6 (3)
Semifinals
Cecilia Estlander, Cal def. Kristin Dodge, Mich – 6-2, 6-4
Laura Claus, USD def. Michelle Sulahian, Mich – 6-1, 6-4
Second-Round Consolation
Juliette Coupez, USD def. Nicole Smith, ASU – 6-1, 6-3
Sarah Lee, Mich def. Melissa McQueen, FS – 6-1, 5-7, 6-2
Anastasia Putlina, Utah def. Gabby Steele, OSU – 6-3, 6-2
No. 5-8 Brittany Wowchuck def. Karla Bonacic, KSU – 6-2, 6-4
Auxiliary Matches
Hannah Stone, NAU def. Kelsey Becker, OSU – 6-2, 6-2
Stephanie Change, Cal def. Nicole Perez, Cal – 7-5, 6-1
Stephanie Hoffpauir, USD def. Sianna Simmons, ASU – 6-3, 6-4