The weather allowed the ASU women’s tennis team to only play one match this weekend, a victory over Fresno State.
No. 31 ASU (4-2) was scheduled to face No. 33 Texas (3-3) on Sunday, but bad weather prevented the teams from playing.
The inconsistent rain teased both teams as the day wore on.
“We were looking forward to getting a chance to play a good team in Texas,” ASU coach Sheila McInerney said. “It’s unfortunate that the weather didn’t cooperate with us.”
Friday’s dual against Fresno State (0-7) quickly went in favor of the Sun Devils.
They first claimed the doubles point with victories from ASU senior Nadia Abdala and junior Micaela Hein over Fresno State senior Renata Kucerkova and freshman Bianca Modoc (8-3), then from ASU junior Kelcy McKenna and freshman Hannah James over Fresno State sophomore Laura Pola and freshman Melissa McQueen (8-3).
The Sun Devils then finished things off when the pair of ASU sophomore Michelle Brycki and freshman Nicole Smith beat Fresno State freshman Julia Gragera-Cano and freshman Olga Kirpicheva 8-6.
The Sun Devils quickly earned the victory with four straight dominating singles wins.
Hein knocked off Modoc (6-1, 6-3), James defeated Gragera-Cano (6-0, 6-0), Brycki defeated McQueen (6-2, 6-1) and ASU sophomore Sianna Simmons defeated Fresno State freshman Anna Mikhaylova (6-3, 6-0).
“They were a little undermanned, but I thought our kids came out and played well,” McInerney said. “We know they are a very good program. They’ve been to the Sweet 16 last three years so I think our kids were ready.”
Fresno State’s only victory came when Kucerkova knocked off Abdala at the No. 1 spot (3-6, 7-5, 10-6).
McKenna earned the sixth point for the Sun Devils with a victory over Pola in the No. 2 spot (6-4, 6-7, 10-3).
McInerney said she was disappointed that the Texas dual couldn’t be played, because the two teams have played several close matches over the last couple years.
“We play them every year — it’s a terrific rivalry,” McInerney said.
This was the third canceled match of the year for ASU.
“We need to play — we’ve only got six matches in.” McInerney said. “It’s been frustrating.”
Reach the reporter at nathan.meacham@asu.edu
