TEMPE, Ariz.- After a 3-0 homestand, which included a January 22 sweep of both Colorado State and New Mexico State, the Sun Devil Women's Tennis team will hit the road for the first time in 2022 for the ITA Kickoff Weekend in Orlando, Florida.
Hosted by the University of Central Florida at the USTA National Campus, the Sun Devils will go toe-to-toe with No. 25 Auburn on Friday, January 28, at 1 p.m. MST. The following day, they'll draw either No. 12 UCF or UCSB with a start time that is to be determined. Fans can stream both matches here.
LAST TIME OUT
The Sun Devils were victorious in both their matches in the doubleheader against the Rams and Aggies at Whiteman Tennis Center, giving them a 3-0 start to the season for the third time in the last four years.
After both contests on Saturday, senior Cali Jankowski and freshman Patricija Spaka are 3-0 in singles play. The Sun Devils are also yet to drop a match in singles play, good for a perfect 12-0 mark to begin the year.
Next up for Sheila McInerney's team is a date with the Auburn Tigers on Friday afternoon.
PREVIEWING THE TIGERS (2-0)
- The Tigers opened their 2022 season with a doubleheader at home on January 23 against the Furman Paladins and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers, sweeping both teams.
- A season ago, the Tigers were 14-9 with a conference record of 7-6.
- In the last six seasons, the Tigers have a combined home record of 67-19, losing only one game at home against the Florida Gators in the 2015-2016 season (18-1).
- Of the eight players on the roster, seven returned from a season ago, as sophomore transfer Ariana Arseneault (Georgia) joined the team.
- As a freshman, Arseneault advanced to the NCAA Championship with a record of 23-2, earning All-American honors in doubles play.
- Junior Carolyn Ansari was named SEC Newcomer of the Week on April 14, 2021, along with being awarded All-SEC Second Team (2021), SEC All-Newcomer Team (2021), and SEC Academic Honor Roll (2020, 2021).
- Caroline Lilley returns for her third season as head coach of the Tigers after being named head coach on June 14, 2019.
HISTORY VS. THE TIGERS
In the last six years, the Sun Devils have only faced the Tigers once: May 14, 2016, a 4-2 loss at Auburn.
A strong showing this weekend in Orlando could qualify the Sun Devils for the ITA Indoor Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, from February 11-14. They last competed at this tournament, which consists of 16 of the top teams in the country, two seasons ago.