(Photo: Patricia Vicente/WCSN)
After 19 matches, No. 32 Arizona State is undefeated at home. Granted, it has only played three total matches in Tempe. The Sun Devils’ road-heavy schedule has pitted them against some of the nation’s best teams in uncomfortable situations and atmospheres. It has prepared this team to be ready for elite opponents in any setting.
So, when ASU’s players are presented the opportunity to defend their home court, they do so fervently. When Delaware waltzed into the Whiteman Tennis Center on Tuesday morning, it received the same welcome: getting blistered and failing to register a point in a 7-0 loss to the Sun Devils.
“The fundamentals looked very clean out here,” ASU coach Matt Hill said. “I don’t care who you’re playing. When you do the fundamentals well, a match can go well like this did in our way … I was really happy with how clean they played.”
The Oracle/ITA ranking were updated mid-match, and ASU (9-10) climbed from No. 47 to No. 32 overall as a team. The program’s two ranked doubles pairings remained so, with juniors Nathan Ponwith and Dominik Kellovsky climbing into the top-10 nationally at No. 9 and sophomores Tim Ruehl and Andrea Bolla falling to No. 71.
“Me and Dominik have been playing really well together this season,” Ponwith said, “we have a bunch of really great wins. It felt great to go out there, play well – and we had the lead, I think we would have got the win. It’s great to have good doubles and get some momentum heading into the singles each match.”
Ponwith is the lone Sun Devil in the singles rankings at No. 71.
Once ASU brought three transfer players into the program this past offseason, coaches knew they had an insurgence of depth. It came at a much needed time as well because sophomore Benjamin Hannestad, the team’s court two powerhouse last year, has been an inconsistent factor in the lineup this season dealing with injuries.
However, on Tuesday, Hannestad made a step in the right direction. Playing in doubles partnered with graduate student Justin Roberts, the tandem helped clinch the doubles point. Then, Hannestad won his match dual match on court five in straight sets, giving him a boost of confidence as the season progresses.
“It’s been a rough year for sure,” Hannestad said. “I’ve been through some surgeries, so it’s been up-and-down physically for me. But I’m getting stronger, I’m getting healthier, I’m doing better on the court. I feel like I’m progressing every day.”
Riding a six match singles winning streak, Roberts did not participate in singles against Delaware (13-8) on Tuesday. After securing the doubles point, Roberts’ day was done as he sauntered between various courts giving positive affirmations to his competing Devils.
“Just trying to work hard every day,” Roberts said of the streak. “I think I didn’t start the season very well and we’ve just been working hard every day trying to point-by-point and give everything I have for my teammates. Right now it seems to be working out pretty well, so I’m just going to keep working hard and try to get some more.”
ASU has a three match weekend slate on the horizon, hosting two Pac-12 opponents and one local foe. No. 42 Oregon comes through Tempe on Friday, while the Sun Devils play a doubleheader against Washington and Grand Canyon on Sunday.
Match Results:
No. 32 ASU vs. Delaware (7-0 win)
Doubles
- No. 9 Nathan Ponwith/Dominik Kellovsky (ASU) vs. James Wilkinson/Justice Jones (UD) – 5-2 (susp.)
- Benjamin Hannestad/Justin Roberts (ASU) def. Luis Molina/Laurenz Lankes (UD) – 6-2^
- No. 71 Tim Ruehl/Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Blaise Casselbury/Nathan Benyowitz (UD) – 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 2^, 1 (susp.)
^Clinched point
Singles
- No. 71 Nathan Ponwith (ASU) def. James Wilkinson (UD) – 6-3, 6-3
- Dominik Kellovsky (ASU) def. Luis Molina (UD) – 6-2, 6-1
- Tim Ruehl (ASU) def. Blaise Casselbury (UD) – 6-2, 6-1
- Andrea Bolla (ASU) def. Milo Nagle (UD) – 6-1, 6-1
- Benjamin Hannestad (ASU) def. Nathan Benyowitz (UD) – 6-1, 6-1
- Makey Rakotomalala (ASU) def. Laurenz Lankes (UD) – 6-1, 6-2*
Order of finish: 4, 5, 6*, 2, 3, 1
*Clinched victory
