By Jake Hernandez, SDA Media Relations
EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 24 Arizona State women’s tennis team defeated No. 67 Oregon, 4-2, this afternoon to improve their record to 13-7, 4-4, on the season.
“I am proud of the team today,” said ASU head coach Sheila McInerney. “We knew it would be a battle and it was.”
During doubles, the Sun Devils got off to a great start as junior Ebony Panoho and sophomore Alex Osborne downed their opponents, 8-3. Shortly after, No. 52 pair, according to ITA tennis rankings, senior Joanna Smith and sophomore Kassidy Jump defeated their opponents, 8-4. With wins on courts three and two, the Sun Devils took the early advantage point for the day.
“We competed well as four of the matches went to three sets,” said Coach Sheila McInerney. “Desirae sprained her ankle three games into the match and had to retire as the rest of the team picked up the slack and really battle hard all afternoon.”
During singles, junior Desirae Krawczyk sprained her ankle only three games into the first set. Ranked No. 27, according to ITA tennis rankings, Krawczyk was facing No. 90 Nia Rose when she injured herself and had to retire for the day. The injury would eventually lead to an abandoned match, no point for any team. At the No. 1 spot in ASU’s line-up, Krawczyk is a dominant force on the team holding a record of 15-4 at the No. 1 singles spot in ASU’s line-up and 21-6 overall record on the season.
With the rest of the team to step up for Krawczyk, senior Leighann Sahagun downed her Duck opponent in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. The rest of the matches would be a battle as they went into three sets or tiebreakers to decide the point. The closest match of the afternoon went to Jump as she defeated No. 123 Nicole Long with two tiebreakers, 6-7 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (4). Panoho also battled for three sets to down her opponent, 6-7, 6-1, 6-3.
Up next, the Sun Devil will travel to take on No. 50 Washington in Seattle, Wash. on Sunday, Apr. 12 at 11:00 a.m. MST.
#24 Arizona State 4, #67 Oregon 2
April 10, 2015
Eugene, Ore.
UO Outdoor Tennis Courts
Singles
1. #90 Nia Rose ORE) def. #27 Desirae Krawczyk (ASU) 3-2 (Inj.)
2. Alyssa Tobita (ORE) def. Stephanie Vlad (ASU) 5-7, 6-4, 6-0
3. Kassidy Jump (ASU) def. #123 Nicole Long (ORE) 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (4)
4. Marlou Kluiving (ORE) def. Joanna Smith (ASU) 7-6, 4-6, 4-3 (Abandoned)
5. Ebony Panoho (ASU) def. Lina Åkesson (ORE) 6-7, 6-1, 6-3
6. Leighann Sahagun (ASU) def. Sofia Hager (ORE) 6-2, 6-3
Order of Finish: 1 (Inj.), 6, 3, 2, 5, 4 (DNF)
Doubles
1. Rose/Tobita (ORE) led #29 Krawczyk/Vlad (ASU) 6-5 (DNF)
2. #52 Smith/Jump (ASU) def. Kluiving/Long (ORE) 8-4
3. Osborne/Panoho (ASU) def. Åkesson/Gomez (ORE) 8-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1 (DNF)