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ASU Tennis: Sun Devils fall to Trojans at home

By Carson Field

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, 'Sparky' following the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, 'Sparky' following the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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On Sunday, ASU tennis followed Friday’s 4-2 loss to UCLA with a 4-1 loss to USC, dropping the Sun Devils to 2-4 in conference play.

Arizona State lost for the second time this weekend, diminishing the Sun Devils’ record to 13-9 overall and 2-4 in Pac-12 play.

“We have to better mentally, point to point,” ASU head coach Matt Hill said. “And we have to be better with our decisions, point to point.”

After winning the doubles point Friday against No. 2 UCLA, the Sun Devils were unable to repeat that Sunday.

Brandon Holt and Riley Smith defeated Michael Geerts and Tim Ruehl, and Jack Jaede and Laurens Verboven defeated Andrea Bolla and Makey Rakotomalala, giving the Trojans the necessary two wins needed for the doubles point.

In addition to losing the doubles point, the Sun Devils were also outmatched by the Trojans in singles.

Benjamin Hannestad defeated Daniel Cuckierman for a Sun Devil point, but that is all ASU would get, as Will Kirkman, Bolla and Rakotomalala all lost their respective matches.

Despite the loss, one positive from the match was Geerts’ fight to the end.

After defeating the No. 1 player in the country Friday in Martin Redlicki, Geerts found himself in a hole early Sunday, dropping the first set to Brandon Holt, 4-6. However, Geerts won the next set 7-5 but was unable to finish the match because USC was awarded their fourth point.

“He’s in trouble there, and he’s mentally fine,” Hill said. “He’s not panicking, he’s very composed, he stays the course.”

Following a weekend with two ranked matchups, ASU will get a quick reprieve from top opponents when Arizona comes to Tempe next weekend.

The Wildcats currently sit last in the Pac-12 and hold a measly 0-7 conference record. Saturday will be the first Territorial Cup matchup in men’s tennis since 2008, and Kirkman said he is excited for the contest.

Next: ASU Men’s Tennis: Upset falls short again as Sun Devils lose 4-2 to UCLA

“I think it will be really cool,” Kirkman said. “I know it’s really important for the school. We’re really excited for that, and hopefully we’re going to win.”

All quotes in this article were obtained firsthand by Devils in Detail unless otherwise noted.