GREELEY, Colo.—The No. 15 Arizona State volleyball team (6-0) picked up its fifth sweep in six matches, defeating Northern Colorado (2-3), 25-22, 25-15, 25-13, on Saturday at Bank Of Colorado Arena.
After battling back from an early deficit in the first set, the Sun Devils held Northern Colorado to .071 and .069 hitting, respectively, in the second and third sets. ASU hit .310 for the match (39 kills, eight errors, 100 TA), including .407 hitting in the final frame.
“It was a solid weekend,” head coach Jason Watson said. “I felt we got a return on being challenged last weekend. We head home with a couple of road wins and an idea on where we need to go from here to continue to be better."
Senior outside hitter Macey Gardner led the way with 10 kills, and also picked up seven digs, bringing her career total to 992, eight away from becoming the 17th Sun Devil with 1,000 career digs.
Senior middle blocker Mercedes Binns led ASU with a .625 attack percentage (six kills and one error on eight swings), while fellow senior middle blocker Whitney Follette hit .500 with five kills on 10 swings, and junior outside hitter Bree Bailey hit .429 with nine kills on 21 swings and no errors.
Follette also recorded six block assists, which brings her career mark of total blocks, 343, to No. 6 all-time at ASU. Gardner and Binns each added five block assists each in the match, while Bailey added picked up four.
Senior setter Bianca Arellano picked up her third double-double in three matches, notching 17 assists and 10 digs.
"We are excited to get home,” Watson said. “This is a fun team to watch. We hope that our fan base seeks an opportunity to watch these athletes compete."
Up next, the Sun Devils open the 2015 home slate and kick off a nine-match home stand as they host Northern Arizona on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. PT at Wells Fargo Arena.
Match Notes
Kills: Gardner (10), Bailey (9), C. Pickrell (7)
Top Attack Pct: Binns (.625; 6K, 1E, 8TA), Follette (.500; 5K, 0E, 10TA) Bailey (.429; 9K, 0E, 21TA), Gardner (.360; 10K, 1E, 25TA)
Assists: Arellano (17), K. Pickrell (15)
Digs: C. Pickrell (13), Harker (12), Arellano (10)
Double-Doubles: Arellano (3rd, 17 assists and 10 digs)
Top Team Attack Pct: 3rd (.407; 14K, 3E, 27TA)
Career Records of Note:
Kills
1. Christine Garner, 1992-95—1871
2. Sarah Reaves, 2007-10—1796
3. Macey Gardner (2012-present)—1735
Total Blocks
1. Tina Berg, 1987-90—530
2. Tammy Webb, 1983-86—492
3. Sue Nord, 1986-89—421
4. Kirstin Mattson, 1993-97—362
5. Sonja Markanovich, 2008-11—358
6. Whitney Follette, 2012-present—343
6. Tracey Barnerie, 1984-87—341
8. Amy Nelson, 1990-92—328
9. Erica Wilson, 2009-2012—325
Sun Devils With 1,000+ Career Digs
1. Sydney Donahue, 2004-07—2385** Pac-12 Record
2. Stephanie Preach, 2010-2013—2010
3. Christy Nore, 1985-88—1597
4. Jami Coughlin, 1998-01—1528
5. Sarah Johnson, 2007-10 —1439
6. Terri Cox, 1994-97—1382
7. Mindy Gowell, 1987-91—1365
8. Leanne Schuster, 1991-94—1284
9. Christine Garner, 1992-95—1253
10. Nancy Christian, 1990-93—1221
11. Margie Giordano, 2005-08—1218
12. Kelly Plaisted, 1987-90—1194
13. Tammy Webb, 1983-86—1178
14. Courtney Blocher, 2000-03—1173
15. Amanda Burbridge, 1997-00—1056
16. Noelle Fridrich, 1986-89—1050
- Macey Gardner, 2012-present—992