(Photo: Harrison Fuller/WCSN)
TEMPE – As the scorching Arizona sun beat down on the courts of Whiteman Tennis Center Saturday afternoon, fans crowded the upper and lower terraces, with all eyes pointed at court six.
UCLA and Arizona State women’s tennis were tied at three, and the result on court six decided which team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Championship.
ASU freshman Zlata Bartanusz got down early in the third set, but was trying to mount a comeback. After being down 2-5, the French freshman battled her way back to make the set 4-5.
Her opponent, UCLA junior Ahmani Guichard, had used her experience – and atypical playstyle – to fend off the underclassman until that point. Guichard’s underarm serve threw off Bartanusz and ensured a more accurate swing.
Tied at 40 in a match-clinching situation for UCLA, Guichard and Bartanusz rallied back and forth, neither one wanting to make the mistake that would cost their team a trip to the next round.
After several back-and-fourths, a ball careened off of Bartanusz’s racket, and both her and Guichard immediately knew the match was over. The ball landed just outside the white boundary line.
Guichard collapsed onto the ground of exhaustion and celebration, and her teammates mobbed her in a sea of powder blue.
With the Bruins’ (18-7, 9-4 Big Ten) 4-3 win over the No. 16 Sun Devils (20-6, 11-2 Big 12), they now advance to the Super Regional Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Though, had a couple more games gone in favor of the Sun Devils, they could have been the ones rejoicing over a Sweet 16 birth. It would have been the program’s first since 2004, but the loss keeps the Sun Devils trapped in a cycle of second round exits, of which they’ve had five of since 2019.
“They’re a tough team and have a lot of grit, and have a lot of experience, and I think that experience outed just enough in the end to swing things in their favor,” ASU head coach Jamea Jackson said.
The day started with a one-sided doubles point, as UCLA swept Arizona State, winning two matches to seize an early lead.
Then, as singles matches unfolded, the Sun Devils looked destined to make up the difference. Two of ASU’s top three courts made quick work of their matches. On court three, senior Vivian Ovrootsky finished so swiftly that the neighboring courts hadn’t even wrapped up their first sets.
Ovrootsky’s 6-2, 6-0 win marked the final match of her collegiate career. The University of Texas transfer came to Tempe to finish her college tenure, reuniting with former doubles partner Charlotte Chavatipon – now an assistant coach for the Sun Devils.
Ovrootsky’s transfer proved worthwhile for both parties, as she earned All-Big 12 doubles honors, won Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and helped lead the Sun Devils to a Big 12 regular season conference championship.
“I didn’t know if it was going to be the end or not today,” Ovrootsky said. “As much as it sucks, I think I’m happy to go out the way I wanted to go out.”
Junior Emilija Tverijonaite, ranked No. 44 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), followed her senior teammate with another brisk, efficient win. The Big 12 Player of the Year dropped just three games in her match, winning 6-2, 6-1 against No. 15 ITA singles player Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer.
Those hasty match finishes gave the Sun Devils a 2-1 lead, but it wouldn’t last for long.
Court two produced another decisive match, but in favor of the Bruins. Big 10 Freshman of the Year Mayu Crossley beat ASU’s Sara Svetac 6-2, 6-1.
When the veteran Guichard outlasted Bartanusz to seal ASU’s season-ending loss, the Sun Devils didn’t dwell on the defeat – they responded in song. The team lined up on the baseline of court five and sang the ASU fight song for the remaining fans. Then, each player and coach headed for the stands, shaking hands and thanking fans for their attendance.
Even though the season was over, there was little reason for disappointment. ASU closed out a historic campaign, defeating eight ITA top-50 opponents on its way to a 20-6 record – the second-most wins in program history.
“I think (this season) was definitely one or two or three steps in the right direction,” Jackson said. “I think we are competitors, so obviously, we want more.”
All but one player on the roster has eligibility remaining for next season. Ovrootsky is, unfortunately, the lone exception.
The senior has come to terms with Saturday marking the end of her collegiate career, and she has cherished every moment she’s spent in Tempe this year.
“I finished off my career with a refound love for the game,” Ovrootsky said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better ending.”
