Arizona State sweeps NAU in first match of dual season

The 21st ranked Sun Devil women's tennis team opened the 2009 dual season with perfection Saturday afternoon, shutting out the NAU Lumberjacks 7-0.

Doubles action saw impressive efforts all around beginning with Laila Abdala and Ali Van Horne, who trumped Orsi Golovics and Stacey Pinchbeck 8-3, followed up by an explosive performance from Ashlee Brown and Sianna Simmons who conquered Leslie Vial and Yumi Hasegawa 8-4. Dynamic duo Kelcy McKenna and Micaela Hein rounded out the Sun Devils' perfect showing with a win over Kim Van Ginkel and Edit Suhajda 8-5.

In singles, the Sun Devils remained untouchable as senior standout Laila Abdala topped Leslie Vial 6-1, 6-0, followed by Micaela Hein who pummeled Orsi Golovics 6-2, 6-1.

Their fellow Devils remained strong throughout as Ashlee Brown, Nadia Abdala and Kelcy McKenna all won their matches in only two sets.

Senior Laila Abdala said it felt "very good" to win her final home opener and attributed much of the day's success to their loyal fans.

"We have a good home court advantage. It's warm and a lot of people come out to see us," said the senior.

Coach Sheila McInerney, under whose tutelage the team has never lost an opening dual match, said it was a good chance for the girls to "get their feet wet" and work out some nerves.

"It's always nice to win the home opener because it helps to get the jitters out," says McInerney. "Whether you are a freshman or a senior, you're going to have jitters".

The Sun Devils will continue the 2009 dual season tomorrow, January 25 against the Aggies of UC Davis. The match kicks off at 11 a.m. in Tempe at ASU's Whiteman Tennis Center.

Results from No. 21 Arizona State versus NAU:

Doubles:

Kelcy McKenna & Micaela Hein def. Kim Van Ginkel & Edit Suhajda 8-5

Ashlee Brown & Sianna Simmons def. Leslie Vial & Yumi Hasegawa 8-4

Laila Abdala & Ali Van Horne def. Orsi Golovics & Stacey Pinchbeck 8-3

Singles:

Kelcy McKenna def. Kim Van Ginkel 6-1, 6-2

Nadia Abdala def. Edit Suhajda 6-3, 6-1

Micaela Hein def. Orsi Golovics 6-2, 6-1

Laila Abdala def. Leslie Vial 6-1, 6-0

Sianna Simmons def. Stacey Pinchbeck 6-3, 6-3

Ashlee Brown def. Yumi Hasegawa 6-0, 6-1