Nov. 4, 2011
TEMPE, Ariz. - Even with a rigorous first set and an explosive second set from the Devils, Arizona State fell to the No. 20 Oregon Ducks in Tempe 3-1 with a final score of 32-30, 17-25, 25-20, 25-23. The Devils fall to 5-19 overall and 1-14 in Pac-12 play, while the Ducks move up to 16-7 overall and 9-6 in Pac-12.
Ashley Kastl once again led the Devils in kills with 27 on the match, and a percentage of .302. Nora Tuioti-Mariner followed with 16 kills, and Erica Wilson also entered double digits with 10 kills.
Shannan McCready led on assists with 53. Three Devils got double-digit digs with Stephanie Preach having 26, Tuioti-Mariner with 12, and Jenny Teslevich with 10. Tuioti-Mariner had five block assists to boost the Devils to 11 blocks on the night, outblocking the Ducks who had only 5.
The first set saw a tumultuous battle between the Ducks and the Devils. The lead was no larger than two points for either team and there were 17 tied scores as the Devils battled past 25 points. The Ducks took the set after a kill from Liz Brenner gave them the final point, 32-30.
The Devils then brought the heat in the second set, exploding out of the gate and never giving up the lead. ASU led by as many as eight points and the Ducks were unable to capitalize on attacks with eight attack errors as the Devils took the set 25-17. A-State hit 76% on the set compared to Oregon's 51%.
The Ducks were dominant in the third set, although there were four lead changes and ten tied scores. The score stayed relatively close through the beginning of the set, but Oregon pulled away halfway through, leading by as many as seven points. Oregon was able to keep the lead to the end, winning the set 25-20.
The final set was reminiscent of the first with only two lead changes and a tight score throughout. Regardless of a 62% attack percentage for the Devils, the Ducks outhit in the final set with 66% to win the set and the match 25-23.
A-State will face the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday night with the first serve at 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.
By Kyra Geithman, Media Relations Assistant