After a thrilling 4-3 victory over the University of Texas, the ASU tennis team will try to use that momentum to have an equally successful weekend against Oregon.
ASU coach Sheila McInerney said that it was not an easy match in Austin, and weather conditions were poor. McInerney added that players were forced to deal with winds up to 20 miles per hour.
Junior Nadia Abdala led the Sun Devils with a comeback victory that sealed the victory for ASU. Abdala fell behind early and lost the first set 5-7, but came back to win the next two sets 6-1, 6-3.
Abdala’s performance garnered her ASU athlete of the week honors, and she was also named Pac-10 Player of the Week.
Although the Sun Devils have had outstanding individual performances this season, as the saying goes, there is no “I” in “team.”
Abdala will need the help of all her teammates to secure a victory in the Sun Devils first conference match this weekend in Eugene, Ore.
ASU had a dual versus UA earlier this year that was canceled because of rain.
With defending national champions and runners-up, UCLA and Cal respectively, McInerney said that the Pac-10 is arguably the best conference in the nation.
“There’s no doubt that you have to play well to beat any Pac-10 opponent,” McInerney said. “That’s why kids come here, to play against the best.”
The conditions that hindered the Sun Devils in Austin will be non-existent for the indoor matches in Eugene, where wind and rain won’t be factors.
ASU is not used to playing indoors, but has had some experience earlier in the season.
“It’s always a challenge to start your conference schedule on the road. We have played indoors and I think the kids feel comfortable,” McInerney said. “Any time you beat a team of Texas’ caliber on the road it says something.”
Reach the reporter at todonnel@asu.edu.
