April 14, 2012
TEMPE, Ariz. -
A dramatic ending capped off Senior Day for the No. 30 Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday afternoon at the Whiteman Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz. After incliment weather forced the two teams to compete in singles play to start off the afternoon, both squads entered doubles competition knotted at three all.
"It came down to the doubles for the win, which means that we had to win both of the doubles for the match," Sun Devil Senior Michelle Brycki said.
After forfeiting No. 3 doubles due to previous injuries, Sun Devils Leighann Sahagun and Hannah James defeated Anna Anuszkiewicz and Carla Manzi on the No. 2 court with ease, 8-4.
And at that point in time, the outcome of the match rested square on the shoulders of the senior-freshman pairing of Michelle Brycki and Joanna Smith. The previously succesful duo managed to fight back against Julyette Steur and Winde Janssens of Colorado, and walk off the court with the match clinching victory, 9-7.
"Joanna and I managed to come back and redeem ourselves a little bit since we started off pretty poorly," Brycki said. "But she definitely carried me, let's be sure to put that on the record."
Previously in the day, and just by happenstance, Brycki was able to play on the main stage for her last singles match as a Sun Devil in the town that has become her home away from home. The Australia native stepped up to the No. 1 spot, vacated by injured sophomore Jacqueline Cako, and put on a show for the home town crowd defeating Kristina Schleigh of Colorado 6-2, 6-4.
The Sun Devils came into the match toting an injury-riddled roster that includeded both Jacqueline Cako and senior Sianna Simmons.
Simmons season was cut short last weekend when she suffered an injury against UCLA. The four year Sun Devil has seen her fair share of roster positions in her time in an ASU uniform.
"This team has been my life for the past four years. When I first got here I was in and out of the line up, but I worked extremely hard to get that fifth spot," Sianna Simmons said. "I was able to get up the the third spot and this year so far except for the injury has gone so well. I can't be any more thankful then I already am."
The Sun Devils were also forced to forfeit at the No. 6 singles spot due to injuries, putthing them down to a quck 0-1 disadvantage.
"We knew it was going to be a difficult match -- it's not going to be easy to come out and win four singles matches against any Pac-12 team," Arizona State head coach Sheila McInerney said. "I certainly was not expecting to win one through four and then to go home. I knew it was going to be tough, and it was. There are no two ways about it."
Arizona State was bolstered by stand out performances at the No. 3 and 4 spots by two freshman who have played a significant role in carrying the load. Both Joanna Smith and Leighann Sahagun were able to clinch early match victories in big fashion.
"I thought they came through with flying colors," McInerny said. " Lets face it, Joanna and Leighann were playing six and seven when the season started and this weekend they were playing three and four. That is not an easy jump."
With this conference win, Arizona State moves to 3-6 in the Pac-12 and 11-8 overall. The Sun Devils will round out the regular season in Tuscon, Ariz where they will face the University of Arizona as a part of the State Farm Territorial Cup on Friday afternoon.
"We have a lot to live up to -- we have not lost to them in about 12 years. The pressure is on -- but that is a good thing. We're going to go down there and block out their crowd, block out our injury situation, give it our best and hopefully walk away with a win," Brycki said.
No. 30 Arizona State 4 :: Colorado 3
Whiteman Tennis Center
Tempe, Arizona
4/14/12
12:00 p.m. PDT
DOUBLES
1) Michelle Brycki/Joanna Smith (ASU) def. Julyette Steur/Winde Janssens (Colorado) 9-7
2) Leighann Sahagun/Hannah James (ASU) def. Anna Anuszkiewicz/Carla Manzi (Colorado) 8-4
3) Colorado wins by forfeit
Order of Finish: 3*, 2, 1
SINGLES
1) Michelle Brycki (ASU) def. Kristina Schleich (Colorado) 6-2, 6-4
2) Winde Janssens (Colorado) def. Hannah James (ASU) 7-6 (3), 6-1
3) Joanna Smith (ASU) def. Julyette Steur (Colorado) 6-3, 6-0
4) Leighann Sahagun (ASU) def. Carla Manzi (Colorado) 6-1, 6-3
5) Anna Anuszkiewicz (Colorado) def. Clare Frye (ASU) 6-1, 6-3
6) Colorado wins by forfeit
Order of Finish: 6*, 3, 5, 4, 1, 2