TEMPE - In their second Pac-12 conference matchup of the 2014 spring season, the No. 25 Arizona State University Sun Devils (13-2; Pac-12 2-0) women's tennis team swiftly defeated the University of Oregon, 4-0, on Friday afternoon at the Whiteman Tennis Center in Tempe, Ariz.
The second conference win for ASU was a culmination of big victories on the lower courts, with Arizona State capturing wins on the number three, five and six courts to go along with the opening doubles point. The doubles point, which was secured by wins on the second and third courts, set the tempo for the rest of the match and carried Arizona State to victory.
To open the afternoon, the junior-sophomore pairing of Joanna Smith and Stephanie Vlad defeated Sofia Hager and Lana Buttner 8-3, while junior Leighann Sahagun and freshman Alexandra Osborne handled Mariou Kluiving and Lina Akesson of Oregon on the second court, pulling out an 8-4 victory to capture the overall point and retire the doubles matchup on the first court
The two quick victories and retirement of the first match left the ASU coaching staff pleased with the overall performance, as opening energy has been something that's been discussed in the locker room before.
"After we won the doubles point," ASU Head Coach Sheila McInerney said, "I thought we really came out and kept the momentum going out and competed well in singles play."
Working off that catalyst the Sun Devils competed in six tough singles matches, yet were able to win three straight to bring the match to an end.
Sophomore Ebony Panoho put the first singles score on the whiteboard, defeating Oregon's Lina Akesson in two quick sets, 6-4, 6-0. Junior Leighann Sahagun tacked on her own point, topping Lana Buttner in two sets, 6-1, 6-3. Freshman Gussie O'Sullivan's match on the sixth court ended up being the point to seal the deal for Arizona State, with O'Sullivan topping Kadie Hueffner in two identical sets, 6-2, 6-2, and adding yet another team win to the list of twelve others.
O'Sullivan's match clinching win also allowed play to be suspended on the first, second and fourth courts, two of which were led by Arizona State.
"It's always nice to get a win, particularly a Pac-12 win against Oregon, but I definitely think we can play play better," McInerney added. "Our schedule from here on out doesn't get any easier and we have some really tough teams to face down the road."
Looking forward, the Sun Devils will host the Cougars of Washington State on Saturday afternoon at the Whiteman Tennis Center for another Pac-12 conference matchup. Play is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.
No. 25 Arizona State 4 :: University of Oregon 0
Whiteman Tennis Center Tempe, Arizona 3/21/14 1:30 p.m. MST DOUBLES 1. Desirae Krawczyk/Kassidy Jump (ASU) vs. Nicole Long/Jasmine Minor (UO) 5-4 DNF 2. Leighann Sahagun/Alexandra Osborne (ASU) def. Marlou Kluiving/Lina Akesson (UO) 8-4 3. Joanna Smith/Stephanie Vlad (ASU) def. Sofia Hager/Lana Buttner (UO) 8-3 Order of Finish: 3, 2 SINGLES 1. Stephanie Vlad (ASU) vs. Nicole Long (UO) 6-4, 4-5 DNF 2. Desirae Krawczyk (ASU) vs. Jasmine Minor (UO) 6-4, 4-2 DNF 3. Leighann Sahagun (ASU) def. Lana Buttner (UO) 6-1, 6-3 4. Kassidy Jump (ASU) vs. Allie Hueffner 4-6, 6-2, 0-1 DNF 5. Ebony Panoho (ASU) def. Lina Akesson (UO) 6-4, 6-0 6. Gussie O'Sullivan (ASU) def. Kadie Hueffner (UO) 6-2, 6-2 Order of Finish: 5, 3, 6