After a long summer intermission, the ASU women’s tennis team is primed and ready to play their first tournament of the season, the Cal Nike Invitational in Berkeley, Calif.
The team, with the addition of freshmen Leighann Sahagun and Joanna Smith, has been spending a lot of time on the court getting back into a routine.
Coach Sheila McInerney, entering her 27th year of coaching the ASU women’s tennis team, is pleased with what she has been seeing out of her squad.
“The team is gelling great,” McInerney said. “I’m happy with the way things are going.”
The team went 14-6 in the regular season last year and finished fourth in the Pac-10. The season included two victories over Top-10 teams in the Pac-10.
Strength training and drills have been an emphasis as the season approaches.
Both McInerney and senior Sianna Simmons praised the work of the strength coach, who has been working with the team to give them an extra edge over competition.
“Practices are really good, we’re working hard,” Simmons said.
In the 2010-11 season, Simmons went 11-17 overall in singles and played primarily in the number six position. She advanced to the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Individual Championships, where she lost to Kim Stubbe of UA.
She is one of four returning contributors from last season.
Sophomore Jacqueline Cako is the highest ranked Sun Devil returning at No. 11, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Senior Michelle Brycki joins her on that list at No. 115.
Brycki and Cako also are paired as the No. 38 doubles tandem in the country.
Simmons is looking forward to another season at ASU and is ready to “show what (they) got” at the Cal Nike Invitational.
“I’m excited for the tournament,” Simmons said. “It’s the first time travelling as our new group.”
Whether the team is facing a high or low ranked team, Simmons said the approach does not change.
“Our mentality is one match at a time,” Simmons said. “We focus on each match and treat it the same.”
Two of her teammates will not be playing due to injury. Junior Nicole Smith is out with two ACL tears and a meniscal tear. Smith has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons and is focusing on practicing in a controlled manner, McInerney said.
Also out with an injury is Sahagun, who has a stress fracture and is not currently practicing.
Though unfortunate, the injury could be a “blessing in disguise” due to Sahagun’s young age.
“She’s been doing a lot of strength training she wouldn’t have done if she was healthy,” McInerney said.
McInerney also said Smith and Sahagun still find ways to be part of the team by helping out at practices and with managerial duties.
The squad also continued to uphold its reputation for academic excellence.
The team earned its fourth consecutive ITA Academic Honor, and Ashlee Brown, Kelcy McKenna and Simmons were acknowledged individually for their achievements.
In addition, McKenna, along with former ASU wrestler Anthony Robles, was named a 2010-11 Pac-10 Tom Hansen Conference Medal winner.
The real test will come this weekend when the principles worked on during practices are used in real matches. No matter how strong practices are, tournaments are vastly different.
“Now it’s just about competing,” McInerney said. “Feeling good about ourselves doesn’t always translate to winning right away but it will in the long run.”
The Cal Nike Invitational runs from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.
Reach the reporter at dkmcinty@asu.edu
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