Jan. 21, 2012
TEMPE, Ariz.--The 19th-ranked Arizona State women's tennis team opened its home dual season with a 4-3 victory over UC Davis on Saturday at Whiteman Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz.
The Sun Devils took the doubles point handily with senior Michelle Brycki and freshman Joanna Smith off the court first. The pair defeated the UC Davis team of Zamudio/Koehly, 8-0.
"Winning the doubles point was a big confidence booster, to get out straight away and wipe them off the court," said Brycki. "It was a nice feeling. I personally love team tennis. It has almost gotten to the point, after three years of this, where I'd rather play for my team than just for my self."
The doubles pairs of sophomore Jacqueline Cako and junior Nicole Smith and senior Sianna Simmons and junior Hannah James also walked off the court with victories.
In singles play, ninth-ranked Cako proved why she is one of the top singles players in the nation. The sophomore handily defeated Aggie Dahra Zamudio, taking the match, 6-2, 6-1. Always the consummate competitor, Cako was quick to analyze her performance on the court.
"It was the first match of the season," said Cako. "I'm going to be a little shakey. But by the end I was playing well and that's all that maters. It's good for the team that we won our first match today and there are going to be many more coming up. I'm going to work on that backhand I kept missing out there."
With the first team match of the season, head coach Sheila McInerney expected a tough match up for her young team.
"We've played UC Davis before and they're a really good team," said McInerney. "I think they're better in the singles while we're better in the doubles. I knew we were going to be in a dogfight in the singles and we were."
Victories by Simmons and Joanna Smith clinched the match for ASU early into the competition. With the girls off the court quickly, they were able to cheer on their teammates and highlight the bond for which Brycki waxes enthusiastically.
"I really love being out there next to my teammates," said Brycki. "It's a nice feeling help them through and having them help you through the match."
As for what to watch for when the Sun Devils take on UC Santa Barabara, McInerney says, "the first couple matches it's tough transitioning from individual tennis to team tennis. All the girls want to come out and get the victory for the team."
Arizona State closes out its first weekend of competition, hosting UC Santa Barbara tomorrow at the Whiteman Tennis Center. Doubles competition begins at 11 a.m. MT.
No. 19 Arizona State 4, UC Davis 3
Jan. 21, 2012
Doubles
J. Cako/N. Smith (ASU) def. M. Heneghan/K. Chui (UCD) 8-2
M. Brycki/J. Smith (ASU) def. D. Zamudio/M. Koehly (UCD) 8-0
S. Simmons/H. James (ASU) def. L. Curry/E. Edles (UCD) 8-5
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles
No. 9 Jacqueline Cako (ASU) def. D. Zamundo (UCD) 6-2, 6-1
M. Heneghan (UCD) def. Michelle Brycki (ASU) 6-3, 6-2
K. Chui (UCD) v. Hannah James (ASU) 6-0, 6-4
L. Curry (UCD) def. N. Smith (ASU) 6-7, ret.
S. Simmons (ASU) def. N. Koehly (UCD) 7-5, 6-1
Joanna Smith (ASU) def. E. Edles (UCD) 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 6, 2, 5, 3, 4