Sept. 27, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Juliana Escobar had 20 kills and 16 digs to help lead the Arizona State Sun Devils to a 3-0 sweep of the 12th-ranked Arizona Wildcats in front of 3,243 in Pac-10 volleyball action at Wells Fargo Arena. Game scores were 33-31, 30-26, 42-40.
For the second week in a row and the third time this season, the Sun Devils defeated a team ranked in the top 15 of the USA Today/AVCA poll. The Sun Devils improved to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in Pac-10 play with is now 3-1 against ranked opponents this year. The win marked the first time since 1996 the Devils have won vs. their rivals at home and the first three-game sweep of the Wildcats since Sept. 30, 1994. Arizona had won five straight dating back to 1995 in the series. Arizona fell to 6-5 overall and 1-2 in Pac-10 play in 2002.
"This was a great match for the fans who came out and supported us, for our program and for the spirit of our athletic department," said ASU head coach Patti Snyder-Park. "We came out fighting, were aggressive all the way through and just believed in ourselves. We knew that this was our match to win and we didn't let it get out of our grasp. Arizona is a great young team and it will be another battle when we go down to Tucson (Oct. 25)."
The victory also marked a milestone in the program's 30 year anniversary, recording its 500th win. ASU is now 500-348 (.590) dating back to the first year of varsity volleyball in 1973. The 42-40 win in game three is the longest in terms of points in Pac-10 history and Arizona State's 105 total points is believed to be the highest point total in a three-game match. The third game was also marked by an amazing 24 tie scores and 10 lead changes.
Escobar (Sobradinho DF, Brazil) recorded her sixth double-double of the year out of a total of ASU's eight matches. She has recorded at least 20 kills in each of those matches, and with 20 against the Wildcats is now averaging 4.66 kpg. Escobar also anchored the ASU defense with a match-high 16 digs and three service aces for a combined 24.0 points.
Junior middle blocker Jodi Smith (St. Johns) continues to play solid for the Devils, notching her third straight match with 12 kills. Sophomore setter Cheryl Anglin (Queen Creek) paced the ASU offense with 36 asssists.
"The home crowd was awesome to hear the A-S-U chants all night long," said Anglin, who recorded her first win over the in-state rivals in her ASU career. "We stayed pumped up all match and were really aggressive. These are nights you remember for a long time. Great crowd, great enthusiasm... just a great night."
The Wildcats were led by the 15 kills from freshman outside hitter Kim Glass (Lancaster, Pa.). Setter Laurie Gardner recorded a match-high 42 assists in the loss.
The Sun Devils will next be in action on the road in the Pacific Northwest at Washington (10/3) in Seattle and at Washington State (10/4) in hostile Bohler Gym in Pullman. --Sun Devil Volleyball--