Aug. 28, 2010
DAYTON, Ohio - Even with freshman Danica Mendivil's explosive performance for 12 kills and seven digs wasn't enough to keep the Sun Devil Volleyball team afloat Saturday as they fell to host No. 21 Dayton, 3-1 in Day Two of the University of Dayton Invitational. The Sun Devils fell 11-25, 23-25, 25-13, 18-25 to a solid Flyer team looking for their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance. The Sun Devils now fall to 0-2 on the season as Dayton improves to 2-0.
To open the match, the Sun Devils found themselves quickly off-kilt as the offense was unable to find a rhythm, hitting .036 in the set to Dayton's vicious .484 average with DU's Becky Novacek and Yvonne Marten both pairing up for four kills apiece while the D kept the pace with three blocks to keep ASU quiet as DU took the first set 25-11.
ASU shook off the rust in the second set to come out swinging, besting DU's .222 attack percentage, hitting .250 with the offense being anchored by Malia Marquardt who took five kills to the Flyers. While the Sun Devils pushed Dayton to the brink, forcing 13 tie scores in the set; ASU's nine unforced errors and DU's 2.5 blocks was just enough to edge ASU 25-23 to take a 2-0 lead going into the break.
The Sun Devils came back with renewed vigor though as they demolished the Flyers in the third set, crushing a definitive .400 on the set, with Sarah Reaves and Danica Mendivil tag teaming up on DU for six kills apiece, with the red-hot Mendivil hitting .500. Cat Highmark was on her game in the set as well, posting 18 assists for the offense, knocking DU back on their heels with a 25-13 win to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Sun Devils tripped themselves up again in the fourth though, as they matched their 11 kills with 11 attack errors in the set, with Mendivil again pulling her weigh with four kills and a .250 attack percentage. While ASU played solid at the night with three blocks two from Erica Wilson alone, the unforced errors were enough to give DU the edge they needed as they finished the match with a 25-18 win.
The Sun Devils will hit the court again tomorrow as they set to wrap the University of Dayton Invitational at noon tomorrow facing off against the VCU Rams at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).