TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State went down early but never wavered in the Territorial Cup matchup at Whiteman Tennis Center.

No. 34 Arizona (10-8) swept No. 13 ASU (11-4) in doubles to earn the first point of the match, but the Sun Devils defended their home court with a 4-2 win Saturday, March 14. ASU’s top three players handled their matchups with ease while facing its sixth consecutive ranked opponent.

After the Wildcats jumped out to an early lead, the Sun Devils looked unfazed entering singles play.

“In our last match, we were a little bit more upset about the doubles point that we let get away from us,” head coach Jamea Jackson said. “This match, we settled down and locked in and forgot about it immediately.”

Junior No. 19 Emilija Tverijonaite, junior Sara Svetac and graduate student Vivian Ovrootsky each won in straight sets. Sophomore Aiya Nupbay also swept her opponent in match No. 5, which clinched the rivalry win for ASU.

Both Tverijonaite and Ovrootsky have been consistent all season. With Saturday’s victories, they improved to 12-2 and 12-3, respectively.

“There’s such a belief when they’re out there,” Jackson said. “The team members can say, ‘Ok, we’ve got a lock there, we’ve got a lock there.’”

Jackson said their impact goes beyond the points they score on the court.

“There’s a leadership quality, a security that they’re bringing … so many important feelings and emotions,” Jackson said. “They’re checking the box for the team, and we’re super pleased with how they’re bringing it.”

Sophomore Zoya Chulek recorded the lone victory for Arizona, winning 6-2 and 6-0. Match No. 4 went unfinished, with senior Tanvi Narendran leading in the second set after dropping the first to sophomore Lilly Taylor.

The Wildcats controlled doubles early. Chulek and freshman Ciara Moore dominated Svetac and Ovrootsky 6-1. The second match was closer, but Narendran and junior Martyna Ostrzygalo defeated Tverijonaite and freshman Zlata Bartanusz to clinch the doubles point for Arizona.

The victory marked the first Territorial Cup win for Jackson in her second season as head coach.

“This is definitely a match that you think about,” Jackson said. “It just holds something special. No one can take this away for a year, so this is definitely a great day. We’re stoked.”

The win ends a challenging stretch for ASU, which has seen its ranking drop seven spots from No. 6 to No. 13. Although the Sun Devils will not face another ranked opponent immediately, they will play their next two matches on the road.

“We’ve got to stay on our p’s and q’s for each and every match this year,” Jackson said. “This is, I think, the toughest the Big 12 has ever been, and everyone’s bringing it to try and change their fortunes.”