May 26, 2010

ATHENS, Ga. - Arizona State women's tennis player Micaela Hein advanced to the second round of the NCAA Singles Championship. The junior from Mission Viejo, Calif., upset No. 14 Anastasia Petukhova of Fresno State 7-5, 6-0 to remain in the championship hunt. Hein is ranked 50th in the latest ITA standings.

"I was really nervous," said the communications major. "Now I can just relax a bit tomorrow. I was actually down 2-4 in the first set and came back to win. As soon as I got through that first set, I was looser and it resulted in a much better score."

Hein earned All-American honors last season in doubles after she and partner Kelcy McKenna advanced to the quarterfinals at the NCAA Championships. Hein was the lone Sun Devil to qualify for the NCAA Championships this season.

"I wish [my team] was here," said Hein. "I've received a lot of texts and I know they're supporting me from Tempe."

Hein will face No. 40 Bianca Eichkorn of Miami, who defeated TCU's Nina Munch-Soegaard, in the second round tomorrow.