College Tennis News - #35 Sun Devil Tennis douses #44 Oklahoma, 5-2

The 35th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils women's tennis team defeated the University of Oklahoma Sooners on Friday afternoon at the ITA Kickoff Weekend hosted by the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla.

"I thought we came out today and competed very well right from the start in doubles play," head coach Sheila McInerney said.

The Arizona State pairing of Desirae Krawczyk and Leighann Sahagun defeated Zita Engbrooks and Mia Lancaster of Oklahoma to set the pace for the Sun Devils. The sophomore-freshman pairing of Joanna Smith and Ebony Panoho took care of the rest battling back to win 8-5 and clinch the first point of the match for Arizona State.

"Joanna and Ebony battled back from being down 4-0 and 5-2 so that was big for us to clinch the doubles point," McInerney said.

Singles play started off just as well for the Sun Devils, with senior Jacqueline Cako winning big on the main court 6-0, 6-0. Sophomore Leighann Sahagun earned the match-clinching point when she defeated Mia Lancaster 6-3, 6-2.

"We got off to good starts in four of the singles matches and closed them out well," McInerney said. "It was a nice win on the road and we look forward to playing the University of Miami tomorrow."

Arizona State will take on the University of Miami Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. EST

Tennis Match Results
Oklahoma vs Arizona State
Jan 25, 2013 at Coral Gables, Fla.
(Neil Schiff Tennis Center)
#35 Arizona State 5, #44 Oklahoma 2

Singles competition

1. Jacqueline Cako (ASU) def. Whitney Ritchie (OU) 6-0, 6-0
2. #99 Hermon Brhane (OU) def. #86 Desirae Krawczyk (ASU) 7-6 (7-5), 3-2, 9-0
3. Stephanie Vlad (ASU) def. Whitney Wofford (OU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Leighann Sahagun (ASU) def. Mia Lancaster (OU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Ebony Panoho (ASU) def. Zita Engbroks (OU) 6-0, 6-2
6. Abbi Melrose (OU) def. Hannah James (ASU) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Jacqueline Cako/Nicole Smith (ASU) vs. #55 Hermon Brhane/Whitney Ritchie (OU) unfinished
2. Joanna Smith/Ebony Panoho (ASU) def. Emma Devine/Whitney Wofford (OU) 8-5
3. Desirae Krawczyk/Leighann Sahagun (ASU) def. Zita Engbroks/Mia Lancaster (OU) 8-1

Match Notes:
Oklahoma 1-1; National ranking #44
Arizona State 3-0; National ranking #35
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (1,5,4,2,6,3)
ITA Kick-Off