Sun Devils Down Toreros, 4-1, in First Round of NCAA Tournament

NORMAN, Okla. – The Sun Devils opened up NCAA Tournament play with a decisive 4-1 conquering of San Diego on Friday afternoon at the Headington Family Tennis Center.

The Sun Devils, who have now advanced to the Round of 32 in each of their last three tournament appearances, will draw the winner of Bryant vs. Oklahoma (Friday, 1 p.m. MST).

Coming off a run to the final of the Pac-12 Tournament, the Sun Devils brought the momentum to Norman, where they opened up a quick 1-0 edge after securing the doubles point. The country's No. 28 duo of Domenika Turkovic/Patricija Spaka made quick work of San Diego's Solymar Colling/Elizabeth Goldsmith (6-3) and Cali Jankowski and Marianna Argyrokastriti cruised past Claudia De Las Heras/Abigail Desiatnikov (6-3).

Needing to take just three of the ensuing six singles matches, the Sun Devils jumped out to early advantages on four courts. Cali Jankowski, the savvy veteran on Court 4, was the first off following her triumph in straight sets over De Las Heras to double the Sun Devil lead.

The Toreros took Court 3, but the Sun Devils stacked on the decisive third and fourth points of the match via Giulia Morlet and Turkovic, respectively.

Turkovic put the Toreros away for good with her victory on Court 2, 7-5, 6-4.

The Sun Devils continue to play their finest tennis when it's mattered most, as they're winners of nine of their last 10 contests. Combined with the Pac-12 Tournament, they've won three of their last four against some of the country's most polished teams (No. 19 USC, No. 11 Cal, No. 38 San Diego).

COACH'S CORNER
"Really happy for our team and proud of them as this match was much tougher than the score indicated" head coach Sheila McInerney said. "USD has a very good and deep team who competes well. Excited to move on to the next round tomorrow!"

SINGLES

1. #79 Morlet,Giulia (ASU) def. #45 Colling, Solymar (USD-W) 6-3, 6-4
2. #102 Turkovic,Domenika (ASU) def. Goldsmith, Elizabeth (USD-W) 7-5, 6-4
3. McBride, Jordyn (USD-W) def. Sedona Gallagher (ASU) 7-5, 6-0
4. Jankowski,Cali (ASU) def. De Las Heras, C. (USD-W) 6-3, 6-3
5. Patricija Spaka (ASU) vs. Desiatnikov, Abigail (USD-W) 4-6, 3-6, unfinished
6. Argyrokastriti,M (ASU) vs. Kalaitzis, Victoria (USD-W) 2-6, 6-2, 0-1, unfinished

DOUBLES

1. #28 Patricija Spaka/Turkovic,Domenika (ASU) def. Colling, Solymar/Goldsmith, Elizabeth (USD-W) 6-3
2. Morlet,Giulia/Sedona Gallagher (ASU) vs. Kalaitzis, Victoria/McBride, Jordyn (USD-W) 2-4, unfinished
3. Jankowski,Cali/Argyrokastriti,M (ASU) def. De Las Heras, C./Desiatnikov, Abigail (USD-W) 6-3

UP NEXT
The Sun Devils will learn who their Second Round opponent is on Friday afternoon, following the conclusion of Bryant vs. Oklahoma. ASU will play the winner, with the match slated for Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Headington Family Tennis Center in Norman.