The climax and resolution to the ASU tennis team’s home schedule could be in the same weekend.The team’s undefeated home record will be put to the test against No. 12 Stanford and No. 10 California.
The No. 23 Sun Devils (11-2, 3-0 Pac-10) has been dominant at home this season with an 8-0 record and four 7-0 sweeps.
Stanford (11-1, 0-0 Pac-10) and Cal (12-3, 0-0 Pac-10) will be the toughest opponents the Sun Devils have faced since they defeated USC 4-3 on March 13.
“It’s a great opportunity for us,” ASU coach Sheila McInerney said. “We feel good about it.”
Both the Golden Bears and Cardinal are known for their perennial success.
Cal was the national runner-up in the last two seasons, and Stanford won 15 national titles dating back to 1982.
Stanford has five ranked individuals on its roster and Cal has three, including the nation’s No. 2 player, Jana Juricova.
“We certainly have a lot of respect for both Stanford and Cal,” McInerney said. “They’ll be ready for us.”
The Pac-10 is generally dominated by the four California schools — No. 5 UCLA, No. 21 USC, No. 12 Stanford and No. 10 California — but this year has seen two other Pac-10 schools, No. 19 Washington and No. 23 ASU, climb into the top 20.
ASU’s victory over the Trojans, and loss to Cal earlier in the year that involved several three set matches, gave the team a shot of confidence.
“Our kids are going to have to know that we won’t catch anybody by surprise,” McInerney said. “The key for us is going out there with confidence and excitement.”
The two duals will also be the last home matches for seniors Nadia Abdala and Amanda Martin.
Abdala has been a major part of the team throughout her career at ASU, earning All-Pac-10 honors three times and winning more than 20 matches each season.
“Obviously for four years she been incredible for us with the way she has played,” McInerney said. “More than that she is just a great, great person. We will absolutely miss her. You couldn’t ask for a better person to represent your team and ASU.”
Martin, a local product out of Xavier Prep, played in the first dual matches of her career this season and won three of the four matches. Reach the reporter at nathan.meacham@asu.edu
