Before then-No. 30 ASU women’s tennis arrived on the Pacific coast for a back-to-back weekend set with San Diego State and the University of San Diego in February, head coach Sheila McInerney sent a clear message about recent singles performances.
She was searching for consistency.
The Sun Devils got the message, sweeping both the Toreros and Aztecs because they committed “very few unforced errors,” according to McInerney.
But, with Pac-12 play underway, the 2016 International Tennis Association Meritorious Service Award winner told her players to simplify their return-of-serve technique.
“We just want them to hit balls through the center (of the court)," McInerney said after beating Colorado last Saturday. "Starting off the point, if you can dictate with your return, it takes time away from your opponent,”
Junior-transfer Nicole Fossa-Huergo, who won both of her matches in straight sets last weekend, said McInerney’s game plan for singles fits her game style perfectly.
Video by Joe Jacquez/The State Press
Following back-to-back losses to freshman Silvia Chinellato of South Carolina and sophomore Alex Valenstein of Texas Tech at the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, the Bologna, Italy native has rebounded to win six-straight official singles matches.
“Everybody on the team has a different type of game," Fossa-Huergo said. "Mine is based on making on a lot of volleys up the middle without too many angles. For me, the most important part is to play long points and have the opportunity to close the point with my forehand.”
Fossa-Huergo’s match against No. 54 senior Sandy Niehaus of Ohio State University March 3 was abandoned because the Buckeyes had already clinched the match.
No. 97 Kassidy Jump, who currently sits tied for 11th on ASU's all-time singles wins list, has faced 12 ranked opponents, including Ohio State's top-ranked player Francesca Di Lorenzo, so far this season.
Jump, who moved from the second singles court to No. 1 in the singles lineup this past fall, tended to go for winners early in a rally, but the Granite Bay, California native said playing some of the best players in the country has helped her embrace and execute McInerney’s philosophy.
“I’ve been working on longer points,” Jump said. “Angles work well for me because I do play a pretty big ball, so people usually play me pretty far back. If I can get them out to the side and open the court, it usually works well.”
FIST PUMP! No. 97 @kassidyjump defeats Pletcher, 6-0, 6-1, to give @TheSunDevils a 2-0 lead over Utah! #UTAHvsASU pic.twitter.com/yuPCdCAckO
— Sun Devil Tennis (@sundeviltennis) March 10, 2017
McInerney agreed with Jump’s assessment.
“We’re going to continue to play good teams, you’re going to have to play some long points,” McInerney said.
This weekend, the Sun Devils will play in the thick California air again: this time, against ranked competition.
With tough matches on deck against No. 14 Stanford and No. 12 California on Friday and Saturday, respectively, McInerney said steady singles play will factor into the results.
“It was nice to start off conference play 2-0, but we get to face two of the top teams in the conference on the road, so we’ll certainly have our work cut out for us, but that is a good thing," McInerney said. “That is why you play in this conference, to play these good teams.”
Reach the reporter at jpjacqu1@asu.edu or follow @joejacquezaz on Twitter.
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepresssport on Twitter
.
