Courtesy Connor Johnson, SDA Communications
TEMPE, Ariz.—The undefeated No. 10 Arizona State volleyball team dominated throughout and defeated the visiting UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (6-4) in three sets (25-10, 25-21, 25-15) on Friday afternoon in its first game of the Sun Devil Invitational at Wells Fargo Arena.
“We are 9-0 and it feels pretty good,” head coach Jason Watson said. “I thought in game one and game two we were pretty low error and because of that it started to frustrate our opponent a little bit and that was good to see.”
ASU’s 9-0 start this season is the team’s best start since 1985, under Debbie Brown. It is also the Devils’ best start since joining the Pac-10 in 1986.
The Sun Devils had yet another balanced performance, led by Cassidy Pickrell’s first double-double of the season (10 kills and 12 digs). Bree Bailey had nine kills on 13 attempts for an attack percentage of .692 and Macey Gardner added eight kills and 12 digs.
The setter duo of Bianca Arellano (17) and Kylie Pickrell (19) combined for 36 assists. Pickrell added 10 digs and finished with the second double-double of her ASU career.
Bree Hammel led UNLV with seven kills, while Alexis Patterson finished with 22 assists and 11 digs, both team highs.
Jasmine Koonts started in the third set for the Sun Devils and notched the two kills in the first home appearance of her career.
Up next, ASU will have a matchup against Texas Southern, who fell to No. 6 Illinois in three sets Friday morning, at Noon PT on Saturday. The Devils will then face the Illini at 7 p.m. Saturday night in a rematch of the contest in 2013.
All four matches on Saturday will be live streamed on TheSunDevils.com.
Sun Devil Invitational Saturday Schedule
10 a.m. – No. 6 Illinois vs. UNLV
Noon – Texas Southern vs. No. 10 Arizona State
5 p.m. – UNLV vs. Texas Southern
7 p.m. – No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 10 Arizona State
Match Notes
Kills: C. Pickrell (10), Bailey (9), Gardner (8)
Top Attack Pct: Bailey (.692; 9K, 0E, 13TA), Koonts (.333; 2K, 1E, 3TA), C. Pickrell (.297; 10K, 2E, 27TA)
Assists: K. Pickrell (19), Arellano (17)
Digs: Gardner (12), C. Pickrell (12), Harker (11)
Double-Doubles: C. Pickrell (1st; 10 kills & 12 digs), K. Pickrell (2nd; 19 assists & 10 digs)
Top Team Attack Pct: 1st (.364; 13K, 1E, 33TA)
Best Starts In ASU History
1973: 21-0 (Mary Littlewood, Intermountain Conference)
1976: 11-0 (Mary LIttlewood, Intermountain Conference)
2015: 9-0 (Jason Watson, Pac-12 Conference)
1985: 9-0 (Debbie Brown, Pacific West Conference)
1981: 8-0 (Dale Flickinger, WCAA)
1992: 8-0 (Patti Snyder-Park, Pac-10 Conference)
5x at 7-0 (1x Debbie Brown (1988), 3x Patti Snyder-Park (1993, 1995, 1997), 2x Jason Watson (2013)
Career Records Of Note
Kills
1. Christine Garner, 1992-95—1871
2. Sarah Reaves, 2007-10—1796
3. Macey Gardner (2012-present)—1770