By Craig Sanders
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Game, set, match.
The fifth-ranked Arizona women's tennis team is getting used to hearing that phrase - in their favor that is.
The Wildcats defeated arch-rival Arizona State 5-1 yesterday afternoon at Robson Tennis Center for their fourth straight win as they improved to 14-3 overall and 5-2 in the Pacific 10 South. The No. 8 Sun Devils dropped to 10-5 on the season and 3-5 in the Pac-10.
"I'm a little surprised we won it so easily," Arizona coach Becky Bell said. "ASU is a very good team."
The Wildcats have been dominating ever since their March 10 loss to No. 2 UCLA. Arizona has an amazing 28-2 dual match record since then, including sweeping three straight opponents in singles. They had sandwiched wins over Washington and Washington State between wins against 13th-ranked Southern Cal and yesterday's win over the Sun Devils.
"We've played well all season, but I think we can attribute our recent success to the extra time each of our players is putting into practice," Bell said. "I told them all you have to do is get a little better every time out."
The Wildcats were close to achieving a singles sweep again yesterday. They were up 5-0 before No. 6 player
Betsy Miringoff gave up a 5-2 lead in the third set and lost to ASU's Anna Moll 6-1, 6-7, 5-7.
The other Wildcats were impressive in their victories. UA's No. 1 player Vicky Maes took out the hard-hitting Kori Davidson 5-7, 6-0, 6-3. Davidson is currently ranked ninth in the nation.
Freshman Eva Maria Schurhoff improved her overall to 11-4 this season as she made quick work of ASU's Joelle Schad in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
"I was really concentrated out there," Schurhoff said. "I've made so many adjustments this season. I've improved my forehand slice and my footwork. This team is good. We just have to keep proving it."
The teams decided not to play doubles matches yesterday since the match was already decided.
But the Wildcats will likely play doubles matches again as they continue their seven-game homestand against the University of Nevada-Las Vegas at 11 a.m. Saturday at home.