Pac-10 play begins with the northern-most opponents for the ASU women’s team in Washington.
First up is Washington State Friday, a team the Sun Devils (4-2) have never lost to in 16 meetings.
The Cougars (7-4) present a strong 1-2 punch with No. 79 freshman Liudmila Vasilieva at the No. 1 spot and sophomore Elisabeth Fournier at No. 2.
Fournier is currently undefeated in dual play this season and has 19 wins overall.
“Washington State usually has a lot of international kids, so they always compete hard,” ASU coach Sheila McInerney said. “You are going to have to play well to beat them. They are sort of known as a feisty team.”
The two Russian freshmen for the Cougars, including Vasilieva, have a combined record of 32-11.
WSU is already one win away from tying last seasons win total of eight.
Saturday’s dual against No. 18 Washington (8-1) is between two teams at the cusp of the top Pac-10 programs.
The Huskies are the fifth and final Pac-10 school ranked in the top 25.
They haven’t lost since Jan. 30, registering six straight victories.
“You have to look at Washington as one of the top ones right now,” McInerney said.
Both No. 7 sophomore Denise Dy and No. 16 junior Venice Chan are ranked for Washington.
ASU’s lone ranked player is junior Kelcy McKenna at No. 104.
This is the first season since 2005 that UW has been ranked in the top 20.
After finishing 5-16 in 2007, the Huskies went 12-9 and 18-8 the next two seasons and are looking higher after a strong start this season.
UW upset then-No. 12 ASU in 2008, but the Sun Devils claimed last seasons meeting in Tempe, 5-2.
“We beat them here in a close one and are expecting a tough one up there on the road,” McInerney said.
Bad weather, which has followed the Sun Devils and limited their duals, shouldn’t be a problem this weekend.
If the weather turns sour, both schools have indoor courts to fall back on — something McInerney said is a relief.
The Sun Devils trail every opponent in matches played because of three canceled duals.
“Obviously, it’s exciting the start the Pac-10,” McInerney said. “We are looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get some momentum going. [It’s] very unusual that we’ve only played six matches.”
Reach the reporter at nathan.meacham@asu.edu
