Oct. 18, 2002
EUGENE, Ore. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- The No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils fell behind early and then battled back with several record-breaking performances to scratch out a 3-2 win over Oregon Friday night at McArthur Court in Pac-10 Volleyball action. Game scores were 29-31, 31-29, 32-34, 30-28, 15-10 in favor of the Sun Devils.
ASU improved to 9-4 overall and 5-3 in Pac-10 play with the win over the Ducks. The Sun Devils are now a perfect 6-0 in five-game matches this year, including back-to-back victories in the maximum five games. With their ninth straight loss to the Sun Devils (25-2 during the Patti Snyder-Park era), Oregon extended its Pac-10 losing streak to 30 straight matches, falling to 0-9 this year in conference action and 10-13 overall.
The Sun Devils were led by junior outside hitter Juliana Escobar (Brasilia, Brazil) who tallied her ninth double-double of the year. She recorded an ASU rally-scoring record 27 kills to go with a career-high 26 digs. With her first career 20-20 (digs-kills) match, Escobar added to her dominating performance with a match-high five service aces for a career-high 32.5 points.
Senior middle blocker Julia Leddy (Mesa, Ariz.) was the deciding factor in the match, with Oregon not able to find an answer to her .526 hitting percentage. Leddy recorded a season-high 22 kills, falling one short of her career-high set last year vs. Washington (10/12/01).
Junior setter Cheryl Anglin (Queen Creek, Ariz.), who last week moved into second place in the ASU record books for career assists, moved past the 3,000 mark for her career and didn't stop there. Her 76 assists not only registered the as the best performance in the Pac-10 this year, but was also the sixth most assists in single-match history. The 76 assists is also a school record since the NCAA adopted rally scoring last year and the third-most in a single-match for the three-year starter
Sophomore opposite hitter Alicia Akporiaye (Tucson, Ariz.) also had a career night with her fourth double-double of the year. Akporiaye had 21 digs (career high) and 12 kills in the victory. Junior middle blocker Jodi Smith (St. Johns, Ariz.) had a season-high 15 kills and a match high seven blocks.
The Ducks were led by a career-high 23 kills from freshman outside hitter Dariam Acevedo. Acevedo, who played for the Puerto Rican national team, also had 13 digs and two blocks. Setter Jodi Bell dished out a team-high 16 assists and anchored the Oregon defense with 20 digs.
A nearly even match saw the two sides tie with 13.0 blocks each, while the Devils out-hit the Ducks .227 to .179. ASU also registered a season-high 108 digs and 87 kills.
ASU will continue its road trip Saturday evening with a 7 p.m. match against the Oregon State Beavers (6-11, 1-7 Pac-10) at Gill Coliseum. Arizona defeated the Beavers Friday night in three games.
--Sun Devil Volleyball--