The ASU women’s tennis team has another tough week ahead of it.
Last week’s challenge came from facing top-ranked teams. This week’s test will come from playing almost three consecutive matches.
Over spring break the No. 21 Sun Devils took big wins over two top-10 ranked schools, including a 4-3 home victory over then-No. 7 California and a 4-3 victory over No. 9 USC on the road.
ASU was down 0-3 in the USC match and battled back to win with sophomore Hannah James clinching the match. James also clinched the win in the match against Cal. It was the first time ASU beat USC in California since 2002.
“We’re playing well,” ASU coach Sheila McInerney said. “Now we just have to build off of those wins. In order to improve, which we want to do before Pac-10 competition, we need to continue to get better.”
Those wins were a great mental boost for the team, but Sun Devils now have three new teams to face this week.
The first of those matches is against UC Irvine, who is on a five-match winning streak, with recent victories over Dartmouth, No. 42 Sacramento State, No. 40 Boston College, Cal State Fullerton and Brigham Young University.
This will be the first away match for the Anteaters since Feb. 20.
ASU may have the advantage in this match as it is 6-1 at home, while UC Irvine is 0-3 on the road this season.
“They have taken wins over ranked teams,” McInerney said. “We have to be ready to play.”
The biggest challenge for the Sun Devils (10-3, 4-0 Pac-10) will be making sure everyone stays healthy with three matches in one week, freshman Jacqueline Cako said.
“It’ll be a long week for us,” Cako said. “We need to make sure we stay healthy and have no injuries because we’re playing that many matches in a row.”
Although ASU is ranked higher than UC Irvine, the Sun Devils aren’t taking them lightly.
“Any team can beat anyone,” Cako said. “According to Sheila there have been a lot of upsets this year.”
Cako has climbed up the International Tennis Association rankings to No. 16, just ahead of senior teammate Kelcy McKenna, at No. 17. Cako has played well in singles this season, and has won 16-straight matches.
“It’s been a great season so far for me, and we just have to see how the rest of the season goes,” Cako said. “I’d love to keep [the winning streak] going, but there isn’t pressure because losing is part of the game. If I lose to someone hopefully it’s a good match and I’ll have to get revenge on them.”
McInerney is hoping most of her team will be healthy to play this week, but will take it day by day.
Reach the reporter at nicole.klauss@asu.edu
Tuesday’s dual
Anteaters at No. 21 Sun Devils
When: 1:30 p.m.
Where: ASU Whiteman Tennis Center
UC Irvine update: The Anteaters have won five straight duals, but all of them were at home. They are 0-3 away from home this season.
