Kansas State University Athletics
Sunday, February 7
Tempe, AZ
12:00 PM
Kansas State University
at
Arizona State
Women’s Tennis Heads West for Showdown with No. 24 Arizona State
Feb 05, 2021 | Tennis
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State women's tennis team will look to rebound from a season opening loss this Sunday, February 7 against No. 24 Arizona State inside the Whiteman Tennis Center.
Sunday's match will begin at 12 p.m. CT. No fans or spectators will be allowed inside the Whiteman Tennis Center.
"The biggest thing we need from this group is playing competitive matches consistently," said head coach Jordan Smith. "Fortunately, we're able to compete again this weekend and can create a rhythm of competing in matches. The message for this week was to remember our support and identity as a team. Sometimes it's hard to transition from tournaments that are individual themed. We have to get back and rely on our team-first principles."
With the 'Cats traveling an experienced group to Tempe, Arizona, on Sunday, the team will look to bounce back from their season-opening defeat to Arkansas, which knocked off K-State with a score of 7-0 in Fayetteville last week. It was the Wildcats' first defeat in a season opener since 2017.
The Razorbacks delivered quick victories in each of the doubles sets from the No. 1 and 2 positions, taking a 1-0 advantage into singles' competition.
The duo of junior Maria Linares and sophomore Karine-Marion Job, who rank No. 46 in the nation in doubles play, fell in a showdown with another nationally-ranked opponent, as they came up just short against Arkansas' Tatum Rice and Lauren Alter in a 6-4 set defeat. Alter and Rice currently sit at No. 28 overall in the ITA poll.
Even with the loss, Linares and Job still hold a 11-3 mark for the 2020-21 campaign.
During singles' play, the Wildcats attempted to turn the tides with gutsy efforts from senior Lilla Barzo and juniors Maria Linares and Anna Turco, who extended their matchups to third sets. The trio could not overcome early deficits, however, and relinquished points to their Razorback foes.
Singles play has been the backbone thus far in 2020-21, as Barzo (5-2), sophomore Rosanna Maffei (9-3) and freshman Manami Ukita (11-4) have delivered for K-State in head-to-head matchups through the month of January.
Arizona State owns a 1-0 mark against K-State in dual-match play, with each program last seeing each other at the ASU Invitational on November 8-10, 2019.
Sunday's match will feature a talented Sun Devils group, as Arizona State currently sits at No. 24 in the ITA Division I Women's Team rankings. The Sun Devils enter Sunday's match with a 3-1 record in 2021, which includes wins over Texas, Iowa and Northern Arizona.
The early season success for the Sun Devils can be attributed to the performances of Ilze Hattingh and Sammi Hampton, as both players rank in the ITA Top 125 Singles poll at No. 37 and No. 115, respectively. Hattingh also sits in the ITA Top 60 Doubles poll with teammate Lauryn John-Baptiste at No. 50 overall.
The Wildcats will return home after Sunday's match with Arizona State to open a four-match homestand, beginning on Friday, February 12 with the Drake Bulldogs at 1 p.m. CT.
"Once we get back to our foundation, then we'll increase our chances for team success," Smith said.
For the latest on K-State tennis follow @kstatesports and @KStateTEN on Twitter or Kansas State Tennis on Facebook.
Sunday's match will begin at 12 p.m. CT. No fans or spectators will be allowed inside the Whiteman Tennis Center.
"The biggest thing we need from this group is playing competitive matches consistently," said head coach Jordan Smith. "Fortunately, we're able to compete again this weekend and can create a rhythm of competing in matches. The message for this week was to remember our support and identity as a team. Sometimes it's hard to transition from tournaments that are individual themed. We have to get back and rely on our team-first principles."
With the 'Cats traveling an experienced group to Tempe, Arizona, on Sunday, the team will look to bounce back from their season-opening defeat to Arkansas, which knocked off K-State with a score of 7-0 in Fayetteville last week. It was the Wildcats' first defeat in a season opener since 2017.
The Razorbacks delivered quick victories in each of the doubles sets from the No. 1 and 2 positions, taking a 1-0 advantage into singles' competition.
The duo of junior Maria Linares and sophomore Karine-Marion Job, who rank No. 46 in the nation in doubles play, fell in a showdown with another nationally-ranked opponent, as they came up just short against Arkansas' Tatum Rice and Lauren Alter in a 6-4 set defeat. Alter and Rice currently sit at No. 28 overall in the ITA poll.
Even with the loss, Linares and Job still hold a 11-3 mark for the 2020-21 campaign.
During singles' play, the Wildcats attempted to turn the tides with gutsy efforts from senior Lilla Barzo and juniors Maria Linares and Anna Turco, who extended their matchups to third sets. The trio could not overcome early deficits, however, and relinquished points to their Razorback foes.
Singles play has been the backbone thus far in 2020-21, as Barzo (5-2), sophomore Rosanna Maffei (9-3) and freshman Manami Ukita (11-4) have delivered for K-State in head-to-head matchups through the month of January.
Arizona State owns a 1-0 mark against K-State in dual-match play, with each program last seeing each other at the ASU Invitational on November 8-10, 2019.
Sunday's match will feature a talented Sun Devils group, as Arizona State currently sits at No. 24 in the ITA Division I Women's Team rankings. The Sun Devils enter Sunday's match with a 3-1 record in 2021, which includes wins over Texas, Iowa and Northern Arizona.
The early season success for the Sun Devils can be attributed to the performances of Ilze Hattingh and Sammi Hampton, as both players rank in the ITA Top 125 Singles poll at No. 37 and No. 115, respectively. Hattingh also sits in the ITA Top 60 Doubles poll with teammate Lauryn John-Baptiste at No. 50 overall.
The Wildcats will return home after Sunday's match with Arizona State to open a four-match homestand, beginning on Friday, February 12 with the Drake Bulldogs at 1 p.m. CT.
"Once we get back to our foundation, then we'll increase our chances for team success," Smith said.
For the latest on K-State tennis follow @kstatesports and @KStateTEN on Twitter or Kansas State Tennis on Facebook.
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