By Allie Long, SDA Media Relations
TEMPE, Ariz.- No. 18 Arizona State Volleyball (9-1) swept the Cal Poly Mustangs 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-19) to capture the win in the 2013 home opener Friday night.
The Sun Devils were second on the docket at the Arizona State University Marriott Invitational after the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks bested the Alabama State Hornets in the afternoon.
It was a block party in Wells Fargo with BreElle Bailey and Mercedes Binns pairing up to combine for a total of 11 blocks, with six and five each respectively. Sophomore Macey Gardner led the team with 10 kills on the night and freshman Bailey tagged closely behind with a .389 attack percentage and nine kills on the night. Freshman Kizzy Willey also closed out the match with nine kills.
The Sun Devil defense managed to shut down the powerful Mustang’s attacker, Chelsea Hardin, and put several kills past the defensive specialists, Megan McConnell and Steffi Sooter.
Shots were fired quickly at the start of the first set, in the form of powerful kills by Bailey. The big blocks put up by both Bailey and Binns prevented any strong response from the Mustangs.
By the second set, the same on-court chemistry that allowed the Sun Devils to beat No.2 Texas began to shine through. The Sun Devils went on a 10-1 run during the set as Freshman McKenzie Willey shot down seven total kills.
The third set solidified the Sun Devil lead to allow the Arizona State to collect its ninth sweep of the season.
The Sun Devils have a quick turnaround in their last tournament of the season. ASU hits the court to play tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 21st at 12 p.m. against Alabama State followed by a primetime match against ULM at 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.