TUCSON, Ariz. Arizona women's tennis (17-5, 6-4) finished the 2014 regular season with an upset over No. 22 in-state rival ArizonaState (18-7, 5-5) on senior day with a 4-2 win at the LaNelleRobsonTennisCenter Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Wildcats complete a perfect home record going 14-0 and narrowing the Territorial Cup series to UA 7.0, ASU 7.5.
“There are no words to describe this feeling,” head coach Vicky Maes said. “This is a special group of girls, and I am so grateful for these seniors. ASU came out strong, but we were able to find our groove and beat a very good ArizonaState team.”
The Sun Devils took the doubles point early, but Arizona fought back with their senior leaders Kim Stubbe, Susan Mc Rann, Akilah James and Lacey Smyth.
Stubbe started the comeback off in singles play with a, 6-3, 6-2 win over No. 51 Desirae Krawczyk at the No. 2 spot. Sophomore Shayne Austin knocked off Ebony Panoho 6-3, 6-2 at No. 5 to make it a 2-2 match.
Junior Laura Oldham then took down Gussie O'Sullivan in three sets, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 on court 6. Smyth clinched the victory in three sets, defeating No. 65 Stephani Vlad at the No. 1, spot giving Arizona the 4-2 lead.
It was Smyth's fourth win over a ranked player at the No. 1 spot this season.
James' match against Leighann Sahagun on the No. 4 court was left unfinished in the third set.
“This is incredible,” Stubbe said. “I can't explain it right now; I'm just over come with emotion. Our team fought hard even when we were down, and we found a way to win. I've loved my time here and my teammates.”
Arizona will compete in the Pac-12 Championships in Ojai, Calif. from Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27.
For continued coverage of Arizona women's tennis, visit ArizonaWildcats.com, follow @ArizonaWTennis on Twitter and Instagram, and on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaWomensTennis.
#31 Arizona 4, #22 Arizona State University 2
Doubles competition
1. #66 Krawczyk, Desirae/Sahagun, Leighann (ASU) def. Smyth, Lacey/Austin, Shayne (ARIZ) 8-2
2. Smith, Joanna/Jump, Kassidy (ASU) def. Stubbe, Kim/Marker, Lauren (ARIZ) 8-5
3. Osborne, Alexandra/Panoho, Ebony (ASU) vs. James, Akilah/Mc Rann, Susan (ARIZ) no result
Singles competition
1. #58 Smyth, Lacey (ARIZ) def. #65 Vlad, Stephanie (ASU) 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
2. Stubbe, Kim (ARIZ) def. #51 Krawczyk, Desirae (ASU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Jump, Kassidy (ASU) def. #74 Marker, Lauren (ARIZ) 6-3, 6-3
4. James, Akilah (ARIZ) def. Sahagun, Leighann (ASU) 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 5-2
5. Austin, Shayne (ARIZ) def. Panoho, Ebony (ASU) 6-3, 6-2
6. Oldham, Laura (ARIZ) def. O'Sullivan, Gussie (ASU) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (3,2,5,6,1)
-- ArizonaWildcats.com -
