May 22, 2013
Urbana, Ill. -
Arizona State Senior Jacqueline Cako defeated Lauren Embree of the University of Florida, the top-ranked women's collegiate women's tennis player in the nation, 6-3, 6-2 at the NCAA DI Individual Championships on Wednesday afternoon hosted by the University of Illinois in Urbana, Ill.
"I played really well today. I was able to take control of the points and control the match." senior Jacqueline Cako said. "Overall it was a really good day, I can't say too many bad things."
The only hiccup on the day for Cako was a rain delay that put the match on hold in the second set at 3-2. With heavy thunderstorms on the horizon, play was moved indoors where Cako then won three straight sets to secure the match victory.
"The rain delay worked for me, because I'm good indoors and she (Lauren Embree) doesn't usually play indoors so that worked out to my advantage," Cako said. "Usually when you have the momentum you don't want play to stop, but in this case I had the momentum and stopping play worked out this time."
Along with her doubles partner, Nicole Smith, Cako traveled with ASU Head Coach Sheila McInerney to tournament play. In addition to strategy, McInerney is there to continue being one of Cako's biggest supporters.
"Jacqueline really played well today and she was definitely the aggressor. She served fantastically and came into the net very effectively," Sheila McInerney said. "She stayed aggressive throughout the whole match and absolutely played to win -- she deserved the win today without a doubt."
Cako will play Kata Szekely of Tennessee Thursday May 23 in the second round of singles play. Szekely defeated Lorraine Guillermo of Pepperdine 6-4, 6-2 in the first round to advance.
Sun Devil Nicole Smith will join Cako for the opening round of doubles play tomorrow; times have yet to be released for that match. Cako plans to practice for a chunk of time this afternoon, rest and repeat for tomorrow.
"I'm feeling good and playing well, it should be a good match everyone is tough just have to be ready to play another match tomorrow."
Live video and statistics are available at the 2013 NCAA DI Women's Tennis Championship Tournament Central. Stick with thesundevils.com and Like Arizona State Women's Tennis on Facebook for all of the latest information.