Abdala and Kuksiks named ASU Athletes of the Week

Nadia Abdala (Women's Tennis) and Rihards Kuksiks (Men's Basketball) have been named Arizona State's Athletes of the Week for the week ending March 1. Both were instrumental in leading their teams to victory over the weekend.

Rihards Kuksiks returned the Devils from a 17-point deficit on Sunday, scoring 17 points and, hitting a pair of late 3-pointers, lead the 14th-ranked Sun Devils to a 70-68 victory over in-state rivals Arizona on Sunday night.

Junior Nadia Abdala helped lead the No. 19 Arizona State women's tennis team over No. 28 Texas by posting wins in both singles and doubles. After dropping a close first set to Longhorn Caroline Larsson, Abdala stormed back and easily picked up the next two sets. Abdala won 5-7, 6-1, 6-3. In doubles, Abdala teamed up with older sister Laila. The team held off Krista Damico and Maggie Mello to give the Sun Devils the doubles point, and ultimately the win, with an 8-6 victory.