NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Arizona State kept its perfect record intact Friday as it held off the Northwestern Wildcats in Nashville for the opening round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend.
"I'm really pleased with the win today," coach Sheila McInerney said. "It was one of those matches that required everyone and I'm just proud of the total team effort and the way we competed."
For the third-straight outing, the Devils managed to head into singles play with a 1-0 lead as ASU was able to outlast Northwestern on courts one and two after the Wildcats claimed court three for themselves.
"We came out with a lot of energy in the doubles and played with confidence and poise to clinch the point there with Ilze and Terka at No. 1 doubles," McInerney said. "The girls carried that momentum into singles play, and we got off to a good start there, too, but give a lot of credit to Northwestern. They're a great team and they kept coming at us."
Sammi Hampton put the Devils up 2-0 after she ousted Inci Ogut in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Hampton improved to 3-0 on the trot and leads the team in wins so far this season.
Two-time doubles All-American Lauryn John-Baptiste got back into the lineup for the first time this season, but she made her 2020 debut in an unfamiliar spot.
She spent most of her freshman and sophomore seasons as the Sun Devil No. 1 or 2, but opened her junior campaign Friday on court four. The change in scenery didn't affect the England international, though, as she made quick work of her opponent, 6-3, 6-2 to put ASU within a point of taking their second sweep of the season.
The Wildcats would strike back with back-to-back wins of their own, cutting into the Devils' lead and making the match 3-2 with two to play.
ASU hung on in the end as Savannah Slaysman finished things off for the Devils with her match win on court six.
"She had to sit and wait to get on court for her singles match, but she was locked in from the start," McInerney said. "She's a senior now and we have complete confidence in her in those clinching type situations."
With the win, the Sun Devils advance to play the hosts No. 9 Vanderbilt Saturday in the ITA Kickoff regional final for a chance to play in the ITA Indoor National Championships slated for next month.
"I'm really pleased with the win today," coach Sheila McInerney said. "It was one of those matches that required everyone and I'm just proud of the total team effort and the way we competed."
For the third-straight outing, the Devils managed to head into singles play with a 1-0 lead as ASU was able to outlast Northwestern on courts one and two after the Wildcats claimed court three for themselves.
"We came out with a lot of energy in the doubles and played with confidence and poise to clinch the point there with Ilze and Terka at No. 1 doubles," McInerney said. "The girls carried that momentum into singles play, and we got off to a good start there, too, but give a lot of credit to Northwestern. They're a great team and they kept coming at us."
Sammi Hampton put the Devils up 2-0 after she ousted Inci Ogut in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. Hampton improved to 3-0 on the trot and leads the team in wins so far this season.
Two-time doubles All-American Lauryn John-Baptiste got back into the lineup for the first time this season, but she made her 2020 debut in an unfamiliar spot.
She spent most of her freshman and sophomore seasons as the Sun Devil No. 1 or 2, but opened her junior campaign Friday on court four. The change in scenery didn't affect the England international, though, as she made quick work of her opponent, 6-3, 6-2 to put ASU within a point of taking their second sweep of the season.
The Wildcats would strike back with back-to-back wins of their own, cutting into the Devils' lead and making the match 3-2 with two to play.
ASU hung on in the end as Savannah Slaysman finished things off for the Devils with her match win on court six.
"She had to sit and wait to get on court for her singles match, but she was locked in from the start," McInerney said. "She's a senior now and we have complete confidence in her in those clinching type situations."
With the win, the Sun Devils advance to play the hosts No. 9 Vanderbilt Saturday in the ITA Kickoff regional final for a chance to play in the ITA Indoor National Championships slated for next month.