Sun Devil Women’s Tennis Set for Key Road Clash with No. 15 Pepperdine
MALIBU, Calif. - Arizona State Women’s Tennis is hitting the road for a crucial three-week stretch, and it all starts with a top-20 showdown this Sunday against No. 15 Pepperdine.
First serve is set for 12 p.m. MST at the Ralph-Straus Tennis Center, where the Sun Devils will look to build on a strong start to their spring campaign.
This isn’t just another match on the schedule - it’s a litmus test. Pepperdine has already knocked off two top-15 teams this season, and ASU is coming in with momentum and a lineup that’s quietly stacking wins.
Tverijonaite Leading the Charge
Junior Emilija Tverijonaite, ranked No. 16 nationally, has been nothing short of dominant this spring. She’s 3-0 in singles, all from the No. 1 position, and she’s making it look easy - three of her 18 sets this season have been 6-0 shutouts. That’s a level of control you don’t see every day at the top of the lineup.
She’s also closing in on two milestones: one win away from 30 career dual match victories and one shy of 20 total wins this season, including fall play.
Alongside graduate student Vivian Ovrootsky, Tverijonaite has also been a force in doubles. The duo is 5-1 this season and has helped Arizona State secure the doubles point in all four of its wins. That’s been a key stat for the Sun Devils - they’re a perfect 4-0 when they take the doubles point.
Depth Delivering Across the Board
ASU’s strength this season hasn’t just been at the top. Ovrootsky is 4-0 in dual singles play, mostly from the No. 3 spot, while junior Sara Svetac has returned to the lineup and gone 2-1, shifting between the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.
Sophomore Lily Taylor and junior Karsyn Evans have provided flexibility in doubles, playing across all three positions and holding a 3-3 record. Taylor also came up clutch last weekend, clinching the Sun Devils' 6-1 win over San Diego with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.
That match saw five straight-set wins for Arizona State, including a statement performance from Tverijonaite, who beat No. 94 Hannah Read 6-4, 6-0. Svetac and Ovrootsky also rolled in straight sets, while Evans closed things out with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win.
Familiar Foe, Familiar Stakes
Pepperdine is no stranger to Arizona State - and no easy out. The Waves are 3-1 this season and have already taken down No.
2 Texas A&M and No. 12 Texas.
Their only home match so far was that 4-1 win over the Aggies, so the Waves will be looking to protect their turf once again.
Sophomore Anastasiia Grechkina, ranked No. 11 nationally, anchors the lineup from the No. 2 spot with a 2-2 record. At No. 1, transfer Ziva Falkner (No. 49 in the ITA rankings) is 2-1 this spring, while freshman Sonja Zhiyenbayeva has been lights-out at No. 3, going 4-0 and already owning a win over a ranked opponent.
In doubles, Grechkina teams with Chantal Sauvant to form a 4-0 tandem at the No. 2 position - another matchup to watch closely on Sunday.
History and Opportunity
The all-time series leans Pepperdine’s way, with the Waves holding a 14-9 edge. Arizona State hasn’t won in Malibu since 2002, but there’s reason to believe this year’s squad could flip the script.
Last season, Svetac delivered a signature moment with a straight-sets win over then-No. 14 Savannah Broadus to clinch a Sun Devil upset over Pepperdine. That victory earned her Big 12 Player of the Week honors and showed what this team is capable of when it’s firing on all cylinders.
A win this weekend would mark head coach Jamea Jackson’s second victory over a top-20 opponent and give ASU its first ranked win of the season - a big step forward for a team that’s quietly building something special.
Sunday’s match isn’t just about rankings or records - it’s a chance for the Sun Devils to prove they belong in the national conversation. And if recent performances are any indication, they’re ready for the moment.