After an 0-3 start to the season, ASU tennis is riding a five-match winning streak, and the Sun Devils will look to continue their winning ways in Montgomery.
At the start of the season, it looked like it could be a rough year in Arizona State men’s tennis’ first campaign since 2008. Oh how things have changed.
ASU is currently 5-3 on the year after a slow, 0-3 start following matches against Duke, Texas A&M and TCU. Success in the ASU Invitational and last weekend’s matches has propelled the Sun Devils into the ITA Top 25 for the first time since the program was revived.
In the Golden State, ASU took wins away from San Diego and Pepperdine to extend the team’s winning-streak to five matches.
Despite the sweep, Saturday’s match against San Diego was a nail-biter.
The Toreros took the doubles point from ASU, but the Sun Devils reorganized in singles. With their backs against the wall, the Sun Devils took four of the six singles points to give ASU a 4-3 victory.
Later in the weekend, Arizona State had no trouble with Pepperdine. After a neck-and-neck match against the Toreros, ASU took care of business and escaped Malibu with a 4-0 sweep of the Waves.
Following a set of games on the West Coast, the Sun Devils travel to Montgomery, Alabama, to compete in the Blue Gray National Tennis Classic. Other teams competing in the bracket-style tournament include Arizona, Princeton, Alabama, Auburn and more.
The first game of the tournament for the Sun Devils is against Boise State. Unlike ASU, the Broncos have struggled to start the season, recording a minuscule 1-5 record after six matches, and the team’s only win came against Division III-opponent Whitman.
Later in the tournament, Arizona State will either play Auburn or Fresno State, depending on the first games’ outcomes.
Although Auburn has a strong 8-5 record on the year, the Tigers are not ranked in the ITA Top 50. Most recently, Auburn defeated South Alabama 4-3 on Feb. 9.
Fresno State is the other team the Sun Devils will possibly face in the second round, and the Bulldogs are a familiar opponent. ASU previously defeated Fresno State in the ASU Invitational when the Sun Devils did not allow the Bulldogs to record a point.
Although unlikely, Arizona State has a chance to play Arizona in what could be a preview to April 21’s Territorial Cup match. For this to happen, both teams have to follow the same paths after two matches, and then the rivals would play each other in each team’s third match.
Next: ASU Tennis: Sun Devils push win streak to five with wins over San Diego and Pepperdine
Blue and Gray Classic play begins Friday at 11:30 a.m. MT for the Sun Devils as the team looks for its sixth win in a row.