ASU pockets weekend victories

 by Tim O'Donnell
 published on Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Kaitlin Ochenrider / THE STATE PRESS

BACK AT YA: Junior Laila Abdala returns a volley during a doubles match against Long Beach State Saturday afternoon.

The ASU women's tennis team, ranked No. 19 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, kept its undefeated season in tact Saturday after knocking off visiting Long Beach State 6-1.

For the first time all season, the Sun Devils lost the doubles point, dropping two out of the three matches.

ASU coach Sheila McInerney said her team wasn't worried after falling behind early to LBSU.

"We still felt good," McInerney said. "We had a good mentality and knew we'd have to rebound in singles."

For a second straight week, freshman Kelcy McKenna played the role of ASU's No. 1 singles player. McKenna improved on her season record, ousting opponent Hannah Grady in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

"I played a lot better than last week," McKenna said after her victory. "I just wanted to play solid tennis and avoid unforced errors."

McKenna filled in for Nadia Abdala, ASU's usual No. 1 player, who was sidelined after suffering a groin injury.

Despite Abdala's absence, ASU failed to slow down, as the Sun Devils went on a roll, winning all six singles matches in straight sets.

ASU improved to 6-0 on the season now enters the conference season on a high note.

"It's a great way to go in to Pac-10 play," McInerney said. "We're looking forward to starting, and the next two [matches] are going to be a step up."

The Sun Devils will begin the Pac-10 season this weekend, facing No. 11 USC and No. 8 UCLA.

Traveling men

The ASU men's tennis team had a busy weekend visiting the Midwest, playing indoors for a change.

ASU's scheduling slate included matches against Marquette on Saturday and Northwestern on Sunday.

The Sun Devils came into the matches with an unblemished 3-0 record and came out 5-0.

Sophomore Matt Brooklyn led the Sun Devils on Saturday with a three-set victory over Marquette's Trent Hagan.

Brooklyn dropped the first set 4-6, but rallied in the next two winning 6-3, 7-6 (10-7). The third set tiebreaker proved important as it ultimately clinched the match for the Sun Devils, 4-3.

The match against Marquette was the second straight the Sun Devils won by one point

Sunday's match was one-sided as the Sun Devils trounced Northwestern 6-1.

Brooklyn remained undefeated in singles match-play, winning his contest against the Wildcats' Marc Dwyer, 6-2, 7-5.

ASU's lone loss Sunday came after sophomore Andres Arango was forced to retire after splitting his first two sets in tiebreaker fashion, 7-6, 6-7.

Reach the reporter at todonnel@asu.edu.