Courtesy Connor Johnson, SDA Communications
TEMPE, Ariz.—The No. 10 Arizona State volleyball team fought back after dropping the opening set to defeat the visiting No. 6 Illinois Illini in five sets (23-25, 25-19, 25-11, 15-25, 15-11) in the final match of the Sun Devil Invitational at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday night.
“We’re 11-0 and we played this remarkable match against a phenomenal volleyball team,” head coach Jason Watson said. “I thought it had just about all that you could ask for in a volleyball match.”
This is ASU’s best start since 1976, when the Devils started the season with 11 straight victories.
Senior Macey Gardner was absolutely dominant, finishing with 22 kills, 15 digs and five solo blocks. Gardner now has 1,802 career kills, currently the second most in school history, and 70 away from a new school record.
Junior Cassidy Pickrell and senior Whitney Follette also delivered terrific performances for the Sun Devils. Pickrell finished with a season-best 16 kills and added 15 digs, while Follette had 10 kills on a .625 attack percentage, seven blocks and six digs.
The setter duo of senior Bianca Arellano (25) and freshman Kylie Pickrell (29, a career high) combined for 54 assists. Pickrell added 10 digs for her third double-double of the season and Arellano moved into seventh place on ASU’s career assists list.
Katie Stadick led Illinois with 18 kills and seven blocks, while Michelle Strizak added 12 kills and two blocks for the Illini.
Up next, the Sun Devils open Pac-12 Conference competition in a matchup against league rival Arizona (10-2) at 7 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Networks, as will Sunday’s 11 a.m. PT tilt against Oregon State.
Match Notes
Kills: Gardner (22), C. Pickrell (16), Follette (10)
Assists: K. Pickrell (29)*, Arellano (25)
*Career best
Digs: Harker (20)*, Gardner (15), C. Pickrell (15), K. Pickrell (10)
*Season high
Double-Double: Gardner (4th; 22 kills & 15 digs), K. Pickrell (3rd; 29 assists & 10 digs), C. Pickrell (2nd; 16 kills & 15 digs),
Top Blocks: Follette (7; 0BS & 7BA), Gardner (7; 5BS* & 2BA), Bailey (6; 2BA & 4BA)
*Career best
Top Attack Pct By Set: 3rd (.435; 13K, 3E, 23TA), 5th (.409; 12K, 3E, 22TA)
Best Starts In ASU History
1973: 21-0 (Mary Littlewood, Intermountain Conference)
2015: 11-0 (Jason Watson, Pac-12 Conference)
1976: 11-0 (Mary LIttlewood, Intermountain 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)
Top-25 Wins Under Watson (16)
Sept. 19, 2015 No. 6 Illinois—W 3-2
Sept. 4, 2015 No. 9 Colorado State—W 3-0
Nov. 26 2014 No. 17 UCLA*—W 3-2
Oct. 24, 2014 No. 11 Oregon*—W 3-2
Sept. 26, 2014 No. 9 USC*—W 3-1
Aug. 30, 2014 No. 17 Hawaii—W 3-0
Nov. 1, 2013 No. 23 Oregon*—W 3-1
Sept. 13, 2013 No. 2 Texas—W 3-0
Aug. 31, 2013 No. 24 Wichita State — W 3-0
Nov. 21, 2012 at No. 5 Washington*—W 3-1
Nov. 2, 2012 No. 6 USC*—W 3-0
Nov. 24, 2010 at No. 2 California*—W 3-2
Oct. 16, 2010 No. 10 UCLA*—W 3-1
Oct. 15, 2010 No. 5 USC*—W 3-1
Sept. 25, 2009 No. 14 UCLA*—W 3-0
Oct. 25, 2008 at No. 24 Oregon State*—W 3-0
Career Records Of Note
Kills
1. Christine Garner, 1992-95—1871
2. Macey Gardner (2012-present)—1802
3. Sarah Reaves, 2007-10—1796
Assists
1. Regina Stahl, 1984-87—5180
2. Cheryl Anglin, 2000-03—4296
3. Marina Mercer, 2006-09—3680
4. Jennifer Helfich, 1989-92—2956
5. Noelle Fridrich, 1986-89—2731
6. Jolynn Faatulu, 1995-98—2730
7. Bianca Arellano, 2013-present—2719
8. Tiffannie Johnson-Gates, 1990-94—2698
9. Tracy Heflin, 1993-96—2238
Block Assists
1. Tina Berg, 1987-90—378
2. Sonja Markanovich, 2008-11—329
3. Sue Nord, 1986-89—305
4. Whitney Follette (2012-present)—301
5. Erica Wilson, 2009-12—297
6. Tammy Webb, 1983-86—296
7. Debbie Penney, 1988-91—276
8. Nancy Christian, 1990-93—272
9. Laura Hibsman, 1996-99—259
10. Kirstin Mattson, 1993-97—258
Total Blocks
1. Tina Berg, 1987-90—530
2. Tammy Webb, 1983-86—492
3. Sue Nord, 1986-89—421
4. Whitney Follette, 2012-present—362
Kirstin Mattson, 1993-97—362
6. Sonja Markanovich, 2008-11—358
7. Tracey Barnerie, 1984-87—341
8. Amy Nelson, 1990-92—328
9. Erica Wilson, 2009-2012—325