Momentum is what Sheila McInerney wanted, and it’s what the ASU coach got as her tennis team defeated both Washington schools over the weekend.
It started with a 5-2 victory over Washington State (8-5, 1-1 Pac-10) Friday and finished with a 5-2 upset of No. 18 Washington (9-1, 1-1 Pac-10) Saturday.
After having another dual cancelled due to rain last week, ASU experienced good weather in Washington.
“It was a nice day in Pullman, in the high 50s, so we got to play outside, which was nice,” McInerney said, according to ASU media relations. “You can’t complain about any Pac-10 win.”
Strong doubles play gave the Sun Devils (6-3, 2-0 Pac-10) early leads in both duals.
The tandem of ASU senior Nadia Abdala and junior Micaela Hein won both matches in the No. 1 spot and ASU sophomore Michelle Brycki and freshman Nicole Smith also won both matches in the No. 3 spot.
“We won doubles pretty easily,” McInerney said.
ASU didn’t waste any time ending the dual against WSUm with all four singles victories coming in two sets.
“Overall, I’m pleased with how they played,” McInerney said. “The girls finished early. It was a quick match.”
The difference could possibly be junior Kelcy McKenna.
She struggled in February, but has not lost since moving down from the number one spot.
McKenna started the season ranked No. 7 but has fallen to No. 104 in the most recent polls.
Over the weekend, she defeated WSU freshman Ksenia Googe (6-2, 6-3) and was the deciding point with a win over UW sophomore Samantha Smith (6-3, 7-5).
Another push has come from Brycki, who hasn’t lost a match since returning from injury on Feb. 20 against Saint Mary’s.
She played in the No. 5 spot over the weekend and defeated WSU junior Marina Nicolas (6-3, 6-3) and UW senior Aleksandra Malovic (4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (1)).
The doubles tandem of Brycki and Smith has not lost this season.
Hein and sophomore Sianna Simmons also won both of their matches on Friday and Saturday in the No. 2 and No. 6 spots, respectively.
Abdala, playing in the No. 1 spot, lost to No. 79 WSU freshman Liudmila Vasilieva (6-1, 6-1) and No. 16 UW junior Venise Chan (6-3, 6-3).
The team has a short break before facing off with Memphis (6-10) on Wednesday.
Reach the reporter at nathan.meacham@asu.edu
