Nov. 16, 2012
TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State volleyball battled through four sets against Utah on Friday night but was unable to overcome the Utes offense, falling 3-1 in set scores of 25-21, 19-25, 17-25, 24-26.
ASU is now 17-13 on the year and 6-11 in the Pac-12. Utah moves to 13-17, 4-13.
After Utah started out ahead, the Sun Devils used a 9-2 run to gain their first lead while the Utes burned a timeout at 9-5. Utah responded with a rally of its own, closing the gap at 15-14, only later to see both teams combine for six-straight errors at 20-18 in favor of ASU. The Sun Devils finished the set, 25-21, swinging .300 and led by Whitney Follette's six kills.
Arizona State started hot in the second set, 7-4, but Utah battled back on five-consecutive points to take a 7-9 lead. From there ASU remained behind but with a trio of kills by Erica Wilson, ASU closed the gap at 15-18. Utah held on to lead the rest of the way after knotting it up at 7-7, tying the game at one set apiece, winning the second 19-25.
Similar to the previous frame, Utah worked itself into a marginal lead, 5-9 and used ASU miscues to keep the momentum and the advantage up to the Sun Devils' timeout at 8-15. Arizona State forced Utah into a timeout at 16-21 after a kill by Wilson and blocks by Alexis Pinson, Nora Tuioti-Mariner and Macey Gardner cut back the Utes lead. Utah claimed the stanza 17-25 and took a 2-1 set lead heading into the fourth.
The Sun Devils played with a sense of urgency in the fourth to battle for advantages through seven ties. A triple threat of Wilson, Follette and Tuioti-Mariner allowed for a four-point streak, 14-11 but Utah answered to take the lead at 14-15. ASU saw its lead cut from three, 20-17, to 22-21 but a final surge from Utah pushed the Utes ahead for the win, 24-26 and the match.
A tough loss falling 3-1 to Utah. We want our fans here Sunday, 6 pm, to help us beat Colorado! thesundevils.com/sports/w-volle... @thesundevils @asu
-- Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 17, 2012
Notes
Whitney Follette hit a personal best 16 kills to top her previous match-high of 11.
Allison Palmer is now ranked fifth in single-season assists with 1285 after posting 56 against Utah.
Stephanie Preach is now sixth in career digs with 1370.
Sunday vs. Colorado, 6 p.m. MT
Blaze Radio online, here
Twitter:@SunDevilVB
About the Colorado series
Traditionally good against the Buffs, Arizona State leads this series 4-1 all time dating back to 1973. The first loss for the Sun Devils came this season in October after Colorado surmounted a comeback for a five-set win in Boulder. Colorado is 14-14, 4-12 in the Pac-12 entering the weekend.
Accessing Wells Fargo Arena on Sunday
Due to road closures associated with the Ironman event on Sunday, please be advised these are the best ways to access Wells Fargo Arena when traveling to the gym Sunday to see the Sun Devils take on Colorado at 6 p.m. MT.
From the Airport, West Valley or Central Phoenix
East on the 202
South on Priest Drive
East on 5th Street
From Scottsdale
South on the 101
West on Broadway
North on Rural Road
West on 6th Street
From Tucson
East on the 60
North on Mill Ave
East on 5th Street
From East Mesa
West on 60
North on Rural Road
West on 6th Street
or
West on 202
South on 101
West on Broadway
North on Rural Road
West on 6th Street
Weekend Promotions:
All weekend:
Food Drive - All fans who bring a canned food item to either match will receive $3 admission. All food will be donated to Tempe Community Action Agency to benefit those in need throughout the holiday season.
Sunday vs. Colorado:
Washington State football ticket stub - Fans with Washington State football ticket stubs from the Sun Devil football game on Saturday will receive $3 admission.
Florida A&M men's basketball ticket stub - Fans with Florida A&M men's basketball ticket stubs from the ASU basketball game earlier in the day on Sunday will receive $3 admission to volleyball.