TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 19 ranked Sun Devils began 2023 with a pair of 7-0 wins over both in-state foe Grand Canyon and UCSD at the Whiteman Tennis Center on Saturday.
Giulia Morlet's 7-5, 6-4 win on Court 1 over Natasha Puehse – the reigning WAC Player of the Year – gave the Sun Devils a clean sweep in its first match of the year.
Domenika Turkovic clinched the afternoon victory, giving the Sun Devils the decisive fourth point of the match, when she beat UCSD's Ella Pachl, 6-2, 6-1.
The Sun Devils relied on a handful of familiar faces, plus two impressive performances from newcomers Chelsea Fontenel and Rachel Hanford, to jump out to a 2-0 start on the season.
MATCH ONE VS. GCU
Devils get the doubles point! 1??s get the first win 6-4 and the 3??s clinch it, also 6-4.
— Arizona State Women's Tennis (@sundevilwtennis) January 14, 2023
First doubles win for freshman Chelsea Fontenel on court 3??, clinching with her partner Argy??#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/2QmKLJiM4j
The returning tandem of Patricija Spaka and Turkovic clinched the first doubles win of the year with a 6-4 win on Court 1. Chelsea Fontenel recorded her first doubles win, 6-4, with partner Marianna Argyrokastriti on Court 3.
Fontenel opened up singles play with a 6-0, 6-3 win on Court 3 for her first career collegiate singles victory. Sedona Gallagher quickly followed with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 win on Court 5.
Five of the six Sun Devils on the court were returners from last year's team that recorded an 11-1 record at home.
SINGLES
1. Giulia Morlet (ASU) def. Natasha Puehse (GCU) 7-5, 6-4
2. Domenika Turkovic (ASU) def. Santa Strombacha (GCU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Chelsea Fontenel (ASU) def. Dania Deaifi (GCU) 6-0, 6-3
4. Marianna Argyrokastriti (ASU) def. Madeline Lamoreaux (GCU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Sedona Gallagher (ASU) def. Hebe Toyos (GCU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Patricija Spaka (ASU) def. Valentina Del Marco (GCU) 6-1, 6-1
DOUBLES
1. Patricija Spaka/Domenika Turkovic (ASU) def. Natasha Puehse/Santa Strombacha (GCU) 6-4
2. Giulia Morlet/Sedona Gallagher (ASU) vs. Valentina Del Marco/Daniia Deafi (GCU) 6-5 (unfinished)
3. Marianna Argyrokastriti/Chelsea Fontenel (ASU) def. Hebe Toyos/Madeline Lamoreaux (GCU) 6-4
MATCH TWO VS. USCD
The Sun Devils continued its strong start to the day with a convincing 7-0 win versus UCSD.
Giulia Morlet wrapped up her match over Kelly Leung to secure the team's second 7-0 win of the day.
Rachel Hanfold and Chelsea Fontenel won their first pairing together 6-0. It was the only doubles shutout of the afternoon. Giulia Morlet and Sedona Gallagher finished soon after with a 6-1 win, giving the Sun Devils its second doubles point of the day.
Got the doubles point ??
— Arizona State Women's Tennis (@sundevilwtennis) January 14, 2023
2s (Morlet/Gallagher) and 3s (Fontenel/Hanford) get us there ?? pic.twitter.com/aIpugWjMOB
The Sun Devils dominated in singles, winning each match in just two sets.
SINGLES
1. Giulia Morlet (ASU) def. Kelly Leung (UCSD) 6-2, 6-2
2. Domenika Turkovic (ASU) def. Ella Pachl (UCSD) 6-2, 6-1
3. Marianna Argyrokastriti (ASU) def. Grace Gamal (UCSD) 6-1, 6-1
4. Chelsea Fontenel (ASU) def. Naomi Nguyen (UCSD) 6-2, 6-1
5. Sedona Gallagher (ASU) def. Sophie Pearson (UCSD) 6-0, 6-1
6. Rachel Hanford (ASU) def. Katelyn Vu (UCSD) 6-3, 6-2
DOUBLES
1. Patricija Spaka/Domenika Turkovic (ASU) vs. Ella Pachl/Kelly Leung (UCSD) 4-2 (unfinished)
2. Giulia Morlet/Sedona Gallagher (ASU) def. Sophie Pearson/Grace Gamal (UCSD) 6-1
3.Rachel Hanford/Chelsea Fontenel (ASU) def. Naomi Nguyen/Katelyn Vu (UCSD) 6-0
UP NEXT
The Sun Devils can build off of this hot streak against New Mexico State University (10 a.m. MST) and Northern Arizona University (3 p.m. MST) on Thursday, January 19, at the Whiteman Tennis Center.
To stay up to date with the Sun Devils in 2023, follow the team's Twitter account, @sundevilwtennis.