In-State Matchups for #13 Volleyball Up Next

TEMPE – In-state rivalries will be reborn and be retested this week for No. 13 Sun Devil Volleyball as the team hosts Grand Canyon in a late non-conference matchup in Mullett Arena on Monday before heading down south to Tucson to resume Big 12 play at Arizona on Thursday. 

How to Follow
The first matchup is at home against Grand Canyon, a team ASU hasn't faced since 1990. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. MST in Mullett Arena. It also is the Halloween game and kids are encouraged to wear costumes for a chance to win the costume contest, and stick around after the game for a post-game trick or treat with the team. Please be aware that our clear bag policy will be in place. Bags will be provided for the post game trick or treat. 

Thursday's match at the McKale Center will start at 6 p.m. MST. Both matches will be live on ESPN+ with live scoring available as well. Updates will be provided on social media on X (@SunDevilVB) and Instagram (@sundevilvolleyball). For more fan information, check out the 2024 fan guide.

Sun Devil Outlook
No. 13 Arizona State (18-2, 7-1 Big 12)

• The Sun Devils extended the winning streak to six after beating Houston and Colorado in Mullett Arena. They were both sweeps, which made it three sweeps in a row, 13 on the season for ASU. 
• Two in-state battles are coming up for Arizona State this week. In the past two seasons, ASU is 4-0 against in-state teams. In 2023, Arizona State beat NAU and Arizona (twice). 
• Last week, senior outside hitter Geli Cyr and graduate libero Mary Shroll were named to the 2024 AVCA Division I National Player of the Year Watchlist. The two have been leaders on the team, with Cyr leading in kills and Shroll in digs. For Shroll, she also leads the Big 12 in digs and digs per set. 
• Cyr has been on a tear recently, notching a double-double in the last four matches, six of the last seven. Ever since the first match against Arizona where she earned a new career high in kills with 23, she has had a double-double. In the Big 12, she's fifth in kills per set with 3.75 and points per set with 4.20.
• Shroll has had an incredible season so far. She has been the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week three times, which is more than any ASU player has earned defensive player of the week. In the national rankings, she's top 10 in digs per set (5.12). Additionally, she recently had a streak of 21-straight matches with double-digit digs dating back to last season. The streak finally ended in the match against Colorado.
• Graduate setter Argentina Ung has been a strong, consistent force at setter this season, and her defense has picked up to match it. She has had five double-doubles in the last seven matches. Additionally, she is third in the Big 12 in assists per set (10.15).
• Home matches in Tempe have been must-see events. There have been five matches with over 3,000 in attendance, including two matches that have ranked in the top 10 in team history for attendance (Memphis, Arizona). The Sun Devils are undefeated at home this season, a perfect 8-0, and have lost just two sets all year at home. 

Opponent Outlook
Grand Canyon (13-6, 6-2 WAC)

• The Lopes have won six of their last seven matches after splitting the two last week. GCU lost at UT Arlington on Thursday to snap a five-match winning streak.
• Grand Canyon went to the NCAA Tournament in 2024 after winning the autobid in the WAC Tournament.
• ASU and GCU haven't played each other since 1990. The Sun Devils are 6-0 in the all-time series.

Arizona (13-5, 2-5 Big 12)

• The Wildcats split last week's games at home, beating Houston after falling to Colorado in five sets.
• ASU and Arizona are playing again just 12 days after the first rivalry matchup in Tempe. The Sun Devils won in four sets, the start of Geli Cyr's double-double streak when she had a career-high 23 kills. ASU leads in the all-time series 57-56.