Oct. 16, 2004
TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Arizona State junior outside hitter Sarah Watkins recorded a career-high 24 kills to lead the Sun Devils to a 3-2 (30-19, 30-25, 21-30, 28-30, 15-9) victory over Washington State Saturday night in Pac-10 Volleyball action at Wells Fargo Arena.
After winning the first two sets, WSU stormed back to win games three and four to push the match to a decisive fifth game. The Sun Devils prevailed with a convincing 15-9 win in the final frame to improve to 8-8 overall and 3-5 in Pac-10 play. ASU also ended a six-match losing streak to the Cougars dating back to 2000. WSU falls to 3-17 overall and remains winless in the Pac-10 at 0-7.
In addition to her career-high 24 kills on an efficient .372 hitting percentage, Watkins (Mishawaka, Ind.) added two service aces and one block for a match high 27.0 points. The junior also recorded 12 digs to notch her fifth career double-double.
Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Morton (Bonsall, Calif.) fell one kill short of her career high with 22 on a .283 hitting percentage. Sophomore middle blocker Tierra Burnley (Santa Clarita, Calif.) tied her career high with 13 kills (.474) and led the Devils with five blocks.
Freshman setter Rachel Mittelstaedt (Phoenix, Ariz.) kept with the career night trend, recording 66 assists and 12 digs for her first career double-double. Freshman libero Sydney Donahue (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) led all players with 21 digs, marking her fourth match this season with 20 or more digs. Senior defensive specialist Stephanie Kohner (Anthem, Ariz.) added 12 digs in the victory.
Washington State got 20 kills each from middle blocker Jennifer Todd and outside hitter Kelly Rosin. Todd also recorded three service aces and two blocks to lead the Cougs with 24.0 points. Libero Stacey Holbrook led WSU with 16 digs.
Arizona State has a busy week ahead of them with a pair of matches against in-state rivals. The Devils travel to Flagstaff on Tuesday to play Northern Arizona (Oct. 19, 7 p.m.) and then to Tucson on Friday to play Arizona (Oct. 22, 7 p.m.)
--Sun Devil Volleyball--