COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The No. 16 Arizona State volleyball team (1-0) opened the 2015 season with a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-14, 25-17) of Northeastern (0-2) on Friday in the team’s first match at the Falcon Classic at Falcon Court.
Junior outside hitters Cassidy Pickrell and Bree Bailey and senior outside hitter Macey Gardner combined for 24 of ASU’s 37 kills, while senior setter Bianca Arellano and freshman setter Kylie Pickrell combined for 30 of the Sun Devils’ 35 assists.
Gardner’s output of seven kills on the night moves her in the career record book to No. 3 all-time with a total of 1,684, past Tammy Webb’s (1983-86) 1,679. Gardner is 112 kills from Sarah Reeves’ (2007-10) No. 2 mark of 1,796.
At the net, senior Whitney Follette totaled eight blocks, while fellow senior Mercedes Binns added five and Bailey and junior Kizzy Ricedorff (Willey) added four each. Follette’s new career total of 259 block assists is tied for eighth all-time with Laura Hibsman (1996-99).
For the Huskies, Brigitte Burcescu led the way with nine kills, while Jamie Bredahl tallied 14 assists.
Up next, the Sun Devils have a double-header on Saturday to wrap up the Falcon Classic, first facing New Mexico State at 11 a.m. PT/Noon MT, and then taking on the host Air Force at 6:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. MT. The match against Air Force will be live streamed on the Mountain West Network.
Match Notes:
Kills: C. Pickrell (9), Bailey (8), Gardner (7)
Top Attack Pct: Binns (.625; 5K, 0E, 8TA)
Assists: K. Pickrell (17), Arellano (13)
Digs: Gardner (10)
Career Records Of Note:
Kills
1. Christine Garner, 1992-95—1871
2. Sarah Reaves, 2007-10—1796
3. Macey Gardner (2012-present)—1684
4. Tammy Webb, 1983-86—1679
5. Amanda Burbridge, 1997-2000—1597
6. Christy Nore, 1985-88—1517
7. Valentina Vega, 1982-83, 85-86—1392
8. Jami Coughlin, 1998-2001—1360
9. Margie Giordano, 2005-08—1312
10. Lisa Stuck, 1980-83—1296
Block Assists
1. Tina Berg, 1987-90—378
2. Sonja Markanovich, 2008-11—329
3. Sue Nord, 1986-89—305
4. Erica Wilson, 2009-12—297
5. Tammy Webb, 1983-86—296
6. Debbie Penney, 1988-91—276
7. Nancy Christian, 1990-93—272
8. Whitney Follette (2012-present)—259
Laura Hibsman, 1996-99—259
10. Kirstin Mattson, 1993-97—258