LUBBOCK, Texas – In their first match of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend on Saturday, No. 21 women's tennis showed a relentless will to win in a neck-and-neck match with No. 16 South Carolina at McLeod Tennis Center.
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the Gamecocks (3-1) scratched and clawed right back into the match to tie it up at three with one final battle remaining on court five. Freshman Savannah Slaysman won the first set against No. 122 Brigit Folland, 6-4, but fell in set two, 5-7. A third and final set would decide the entire match, and despite cramps late in the set, the rookie rallied to a 6-4 victory to move the Devils to the regional championship match against No. 13 Texas Tech.
"For Savannah as a freshman to come through and win the deciding match speaks volumes as to her ability and toughness," said head coach Sheila McInerney. "It was a very well-played match, and after missing out on six match points in the second set, for her to come back and win the third was incredible. We're excited for the opportunity tomorrow to play Texas Tech."
The freshman said she was zoned in and focused with the task at hand, and pushed through for her team.
"I've never cramped before, so it was important for me to stay mentally tough," said Slaysman. "I just kept reminding myself of all the work we've put in and that helped me fight through it.
"My teammates and coaches were so encouraging and cheering me on after every single point, and I really wanted to win for them. It felt amazing when my teammates ran on the court cheering and hugging me. It's an experience I will never forget."
Much earlier on in doubles, the Devils got off to the start they always shoot for. McInerney prides herself and her team on doubles play, and they stood tall with senior Kassidy Jump and sophomore Samantha Hampton getting them started on court three, 6-0. While Slaysman and junior Kelley Anderson – ranked No. 36 in doubles – battled on court two, senior Alex Osborne and junior Nicole Fossa-Huergo clinched the doubles point 6-3.
Singles began, and Anderson got right to work on court three against Caroline Dailey. She breezed through her match, 6-0, 6-0, to give the Devils a 2-0 lead in no time.
Not long later, Hampton – ranked No. 49 – took down No. 72 Paige Cline on court two in straight sets as well, 6-3, 6-4.
At that time, Slaysman had already won the first set and was up in the second, which appeared to be in route to a 4-0 victory.
South Carolina rallied on courts one, four and six, as all three capitalized on their matches in straight sets to knot it up at three.
Slaysman's match-clinching victory became her first win over a ranked opponent in her young collegiate career.
The Devils now advance to the ITA Kick-Off Weekend regional championship match against No. 13 Texas Tech. The winner will play in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships next week in New Haven, Conn.
ITA Kick-Off Weekend
Lubbock, Texas
Jan. 28-29, 2017
After jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the Gamecocks (3-1) scratched and clawed right back into the match to tie it up at three with one final battle remaining on court five. Freshman Savannah Slaysman won the first set against No. 122 Brigit Folland, 6-4, but fell in set two, 5-7. A third and final set would decide the entire match, and despite cramps late in the set, the rookie rallied to a 6-4 victory to move the Devils to the regional championship match against No. 13 Texas Tech.
"For Savannah as a freshman to come through and win the deciding match speaks volumes as to her ability and toughness," said head coach Sheila McInerney. "It was a very well-played match, and after missing out on six match points in the second set, for her to come back and win the third was incredible. We're excited for the opportunity tomorrow to play Texas Tech."
The freshman said she was zoned in and focused with the task at hand, and pushed through for her team.
"I've never cramped before, so it was important for me to stay mentally tough," said Slaysman. "I just kept reminding myself of all the work we've put in and that helped me fight through it.
"My teammates and coaches were so encouraging and cheering me on after every single point, and I really wanted to win for them. It felt amazing when my teammates ran on the court cheering and hugging me. It's an experience I will never forget."
Much earlier on in doubles, the Devils got off to the start they always shoot for. McInerney prides herself and her team on doubles play, and they stood tall with senior Kassidy Jump and sophomore Samantha Hampton getting them started on court three, 6-0. While Slaysman and junior Kelley Anderson – ranked No. 36 in doubles – battled on court two, senior Alex Osborne and junior Nicole Fossa-Huergo clinched the doubles point 6-3.
Singles began, and Anderson got right to work on court three against Caroline Dailey. She breezed through her match, 6-0, 6-0, to give the Devils a 2-0 lead in no time.
Not long later, Hampton – ranked No. 49 – took down No. 72 Paige Cline on court two in straight sets as well, 6-3, 6-4.
At that time, Slaysman had already won the first set and was up in the second, which appeared to be in route to a 4-0 victory.
South Carolina rallied on courts one, four and six, as all three capitalized on their matches in straight sets to knot it up at three.
Slaysman's match-clinching victory became her first win over a ranked opponent in her young collegiate career.
The Devils now advance to the ITA Kick-Off Weekend regional championship match against No. 13 Texas Tech. The winner will play in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships next week in New Haven, Conn.
ITA Kick-Off Weekend
Lubbock, Texas
Jan. 28-29, 2017
Doubles:
1. Osborne/Fossa-Huergo (ASU) def. Berg/Cline (SC): 6-3
2. Folland/Dailey (SC) vs. Anderson/Slaysman (ASU): susp.
3. Jump/Hampton (ASU) def. Rohrabacher/Horvit: 6-0
Singles:1. Horvit (SC) def. Jump (ASU): 6-4, 6-3
2. Hampton (ASU) def. Cline (SC) 6-3, 6-4
3. Anderson (ASU) def. Dailey (SC) 6-0, 6-0
4. Chinellato (SC) def. Fossa-Huergo (ASU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Slaysman (ASU) def. Folland 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
6. Berg (SC) def. O'Sullivan (ASU) 6-3, 6-1