Sept. 19, 2003
PULLMAN, Wash. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- The Washington State Cougars defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils in a three-game sweep Friday night in Pac-10 Volleyball action at Bohler Gym. The Cougs defeated ASU in a closely contested match by scores of 30-25, 33-31 and 36-34.
ASU pushed the red-hot Cougars to the limit and out-hit WSU .203-.129 for the match. A season-high 28 service errors proved to be the difference as the Devils opened Pac-10 play with consecutive losses and are now 5-6 on the season. Washington State improved to 5-6 on the season by winning its fourth straight match, a streak that includes a pair of wins against nationally ranked opponents. With the Cougars fifth straight victory over the Devils, the all-time series between the two schools is now tied 18-18.
Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Watkins (Mishawaka, Ind.) led all players with a career-high 15 kills on a .375 (15-3-32) hitting percentage. Watkins also tallied three service aces and a career-high four blocks for 20.0 total points. Senior outside hitter Juliana Escobar (Brasilia, Brazil) added 14 kills and 17 digs to record her sixth double-double of the season. Senior middle blocker Mandy Stephens (Napa, Calif.) also had a solid match with 11 kills (.400) and five blocks. Stephens continues to lead the Sun Devils in attack percentage at .432 for the season.
Junior outside hitter Natalie Harris (Tempe, Ariz.) continued her stellar play in 2003, recording 13 kills and 13 digs for her fifth double-double of the year and eighth of her career. Senior libero Courtney Blocher (Scottsdale, Ariz.) tallied 15 digs and now has 999 for her career, just one short of becoming the 13th Sun Devil all-time to record 1,000 digs in a career. Senior setter Cheryl Anglin (Queen Creek, Ariz.) also set a season-best with 42 assists.
WSU gained a lot of its momentum behind ASU's 28 serving errors, with only one player recording double-digits in kills. Redshirt freshman outside hitter Kristen Carlson led the Cougars with 10 kills. WSU also dominated at the net, with 16.0 blocks compared to the Devils' eight. Freshman middle blocker Jennifer Todd recorded 10 blocks and freshman Kelly Rosin added seven.
Arizona State ended its longest road trip of the season (eight matches) by going 4-4 during the stretch. ASU returns home this Friday (Sept. 26) with a 7 p.m. match against rival Arizona at Wells Fargo Arena.
--Sun Devil Volleyball--