Sept. 4, 2004
DURHAM, N.H. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Four players recorded double-digits in kills to lead the Arizona State Sun Devils to a four-set victory over host New Hampshire to complete the Ocean National Bank Invitational Saturday night in Durham, N.H. Game scores were 30-22, 22-30, 30-21, 30-23 in favor of ASU. The Sun Devils bounced back from a disappointing three-game loss to Toledo earlier in the morning to defeat the two-time America East Conference champions. ASU completed the tournament 2-1 and is set for its 2004 home debut next weekend when it hosts the Tempe Buttes/Sun Devil Invitational at Wells Fargo Arena. "We improved with every game we played and ended the tournament with a solid victory over a very good team," said second-year head coach Brad Saindon. "Sarah Watkins really sparked us tonight and our freshman did a nice job of adjusting as the weekend went on. They are all learning on the job and we need to just keep improving. I am very proud of they way they battled back from this morning and made this a successful road trip." Freshmen Colette Meek (Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada) and Kristin Trayser (Crystal Lake, Ill.) led the Sun Devils with 15 kills each. Meek made only one hitting error in 26 attempts for a .538 hitting percentage and had a team-high five blocks for 18.5 total points. Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Morton (Bonsall, Calif.) and junior Sarah Watkins (Mishawaka, Ind.) each recorded double-doubles in the victory. Morton had 13 kills and 10 digs, while Watkins recorded season highs with 10 kills and 14 digs. Morton and Meek were named to the all-tournament team. Freshman libero Sydney Donahue (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) anchored the defense with an ASU freshman record 27 digs. The Fab 50 freshman also registered the second most digs in ASU rally scoring history (since 2002) and finished the tournament averaging 4.55 digs per game. Sarah Rehn and Natasha Otte each recorded 13 kills for New Hampshire. Tournament Notes: Senior setter Giovana Melo led the team with 51 assists... she averaged 10.60 assists per game in the tournament... senior defensive specialist Stephanie Kohner recorded double-digits in digs in all three matches and averaged 3.45 digs per match in the tournament... sophomore middle blocker Tierra Burnley had nine kills on a .400 hitting percentage against UNH and averaged 3.00 kpg on a .447 hitting percentage in the tournament... Nicole Morton averaged 4.00 kpg during the tournament. --Sun Devil Volleyball--