Following a commanding 2-set lead from their doubles matches, The No. 24 ranked Sun Devils couldn’t capitalize in their singles matches and lost in a heartbreaking finish to No. 25 ranked Pepperdine at home.
Sophomore Daniel Phillips and freshman Tanner Povey contributed to one of those two doubles wins. As a team this season, Povey and Phillips have yet to lose, having an unblemished 4-0 record as they go into their next matches.
When asked about how they can maintain such chemistry against ranked competition Povey stated, “If I’m out there fighting, I would 100% want to be out there fighting with Daniel by my side. He makes me want to be a better player.” Phillips responded as well by stating, “We bring out that competitive fire in each other, and our chemistry on the court is because of our chemistry off the court.”
With this loss against the Waves at the Whitman Tennis Center, the Sun Devils are now standing at a 3-3 record on the season.
In addition to this loss, ASU is now on a two-game losing streak, with both losses coming from nationally ranked opponents. Their previous loss came from the formerly No.12 ranked Kentucky Wildcats.
“It’s the same as what happened back in Kentucky. Our opponents made some adjustments, and we’re not adjusting back to that well,” said head coach Matt Hill. “We’re seeing better choices from the guys from a discipline and tactics standpoint, but now it’s really about trusting yourself in those moments when your back is against the wall, and you have to come up with the goods.”
Following Pepperdine completing the comeback with a 4-3 victory in the final singles match of the day, Arizona State would watch the Waves celebrate their victory as they now prepare for NAU and DePaul in their upcoming doubleheader.
“The best thing you can do in situations like these is to just try and block it out. Losses happen, you know,” Povey stated. “As long as we’re doing what we can control and doing what’s right to win the next match, then that’s all you can ask for.”
The Sun Devils will have their next two matches in a doubleheader against Northern Arizona University and DePaul University on February 7th at Whiteman Tennis Center at 9 am and 4 pm.
