Feb. 17, 2012
TEMPE, Ariz. -
The No. 20 Arizona State University Sun Devils started the weekend off right defeating Northern Arizona University at the Whiteman Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz. ASU swept Northern Arizona 7-0, with every Sun Devil competing in singles winning their individual game in two sets.
ASU started off strong earning the first point via wins in all three doubles matches, and it was not long after that that the Devils had won the match decision.
Although audibly frustrated, sophomore Hannah James earned the first singles point for the Sun Devils defeating Nicole Perez 6-0, 6-3.
"When you miss bad shots, you get a little frustrated with yourself. But I knew I was going to win, I was playing very well," Hannah James said. "But it's when you are playing very well, and you miss a ball you just ask yourself why did you do that," James said.
But more importantly, this match put ASU back out onto the court in a game setting for the first time in almost two weeks. After a scheduling conflict with Texas, and failing to advance to the ITA Indoor Tennis Championships three weeks prior, ASU was left with a larger break then they would have like to have normally had.
"I think the best thing about today was that we had not played in almost two weeks, so just getting a match under our belt before we go to California next week is good," head coach Sheila McInerney said.
Although NAU came into the match as the underdogs at 2-4 overall, Coach McInerney preached to her players the importance of always playing with the goal of perfection no matter who the opponent.
"We've had a good relationship with NAU, we play them every year. They're over matched with us, but they compete hard. I tell our kids all the time they way you respect the opponent is by going out there and just beating them as badly as you can," said McInerney.
The team will look to use the momentum boost that came from the courts today and carry it into very competitive play. ASU will head west next weekend to square off against Boise State and Pepperdine in Malibu, Calif.
"Winning always helps no matter how well kids are doing. Particularly with a sport like tennis, it's a lot of individual, yet it is a team sport. It's a good team win, 7-0, and I think the kids feel good. Nice weather and they have a weekend off, but they know what's ahead of them and I think they'll be ready," said McInerney.
Doubles
1. Jacqueline Cako/Nicole Smith (ASU) def. Malia Wahinepio/Johanna Vang (NAU) 8-1
2. Michelle Brycki/Joanna Smith (ASU) def. Nicole Perez/Ghizelene Doballah (NAU) 8-0
3. Sianna Simmons/Leighann Sahagun (ASU) def. Alice Pacaut/Alice Walker (NAU) 8-3
Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3
Singles
1. Jacqueline Cako (ASU) def. Ghizelene Doballah (NAU) 6-0, 6-3
2. Michelle Brycki (ASU) def. Malia Wahinepio (NAU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Hannah James (ASU) def. Nicole Perez (NAU) 6-0, 6-3
4. Sianna Simmons (ASU) def. Johanna Vang (NAU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Joanna Smith (ASU) def. Alice Pacaut (NAU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Leighann Sahagun (ASU) def. Alice Walker (NAU) 6-1, 6-3
Order of Finish: 3, 5, 2, 4, 1, 6