TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona State women's tennis team kicks off Pac-12 Conference play on Friday, March 4 against No. 2 California at Whiteman Tennis Center at 1:30 p.m.
After a tough matchup with then-No. 2 Ohio State last weekend, the No. 36 Sun Devils turn right around for two-straight matches against top-20 opponents, as No. 20 Stanford also comes to town on Saturday at noon.
"Needless to say we have a lot of respect for both Cal and Stanford," said head coach Sheila McInerney. "They're two perennial NCAA powers, particularly Cal as it's probably the strongest team they've had in a while. They won the National Indoor Championship (in early February) and are arguably the best team in the country right now being undefeated."
McInerney reiterated there is no room for error this weekend if they want to start off conference play in the plus column and potentially force an upset.
"We're going to have to play really well this weekend if we want to come away with a win," she said. "Both teams --- particularly Cal -- are grinders. (Cal) is talented but it's not like they have off-the-chart talent. They just make you earn everything you get. I have a lot of respect for how tough those kids at Cal are.
Cal and Stanford are both coming off a huge victory over No. 7 Florida, who some still believe is the best team in the country.
Like the Sun Devils match against Ohio State, McInerney actually hopes to see some three-set matches with Cal and Stanford, and at least knows her team has the experience.
"I hope so, which means we would be in the matches with a very good team," said McInerney. "Cal beat Ohio State earlier in the year and it was a close match at the indoors. Cal is going to be a little bit tougher than Ohio State was, and Cal may be a little bit better outdoor team than indoor, so we know they're going to be good. That's why you come to Arizona State though, because you want to play those teams like Cal and Stanford."
Getting off to a hot start is always something McInerney preaches to her women, especially in doubles, and this weekend won't be any different.
"For Cal, they don't have any weaknesses but their doubles probably aren’t necessarily their strength," she said. "If there's any place that they may be a little bit vulnerable, it would be their doubles because their singles 1-6 are pretty darn solid. I think our doubles have been pretty good, but we need to start off fast in both doubles and singles. "
The No. 30-ranked duo of senior Ebony Panoho and junior Alexandra Osborne nearly had the upset of No. 4 Miho Kowase and Anna Sanford of Ohio State before the other two matches were clinched, holding a 6-5 lead.
Friday they'll take on No. 6 Maegan Manasse and Denise Starr of Cal followed by No. 3 Taylor Davidson and Caroline Doyle of Stanford on Saturday.
In singles, No. 36 Desirae Krawczyk is coming off her second-straight year of upsetting the No. 1-ranked woman in the country after knocking off Francesca Di Lorenzo in three sets. She'll look to ride that wave of energy and confidence into her match with No. 10 Manasse.
Admission to the matches are free and parking is available in lot 59 around Whiteman Tennis Center.
Umbrellas and water bottles will also be provided for all fans in attendance.