SALT LAKE CITY—The No. 21 Sun Devil volleyball team (19-8, 8-8 Pac-12) swept Utah (9-18, 3-13 Pac-12), 25-23, 26-24, 25-23, on Saturday night at the Huntsman Center.
With the win, ASU has now won 19 or more matches in each of the last four seasons for the first time in program history, and eight or more conference wins since the 1992-95 seasons. The win also marks the 200th in Jason Watson’s head coaching career.
"I’m happy for our athletes and staff,” Watson said. “They have been working hard to put together a solid road weekend. A split is good for us and keeps us alive for the post-season."
Junior Cassidy Pickrell led the way with 14 kills while junior Bree Bailey had nine on .368 attacking and senior Whitney Follette added another nine kills. Pickrell also posted a double-double, her seventh of the year, with 11 digs.
Senior Bianca Arellano picked up her team-leading 12th double-double of the year with 18 assists and 14 digs, while freshman Kylie Pickrell added a team-leading 20 assists.
ASU won the blocking battle with the Utes, 11.5 to 9.0, led by Follette’s seven block assists, while freshman Jasmine Koonts added a career best six block assists on the night, and senior Mercedes Binns added five more along with her error-free four kills.
Utah’s Adora Anae led the way with 14 kills, while Eliza Katoa added nine on .412 attacking. Brenna DeYoung had total blocks, while Emma Kirst and Berkeley Oblad added four blocks apiece.
Up next, the Sun Devils return to Wells Fargo Arena for its final two home matches of the 2015 season, hosting UCLA on Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. MT on the Pac-12 Networks. The home finale against USC is set for 1 p.m. MT on Sunday, Nov. 22 and will be live streamed on TheSunDevils.com.
Prior to the match against the Bruins, ASU’s senior class of Bianca Arellano, Whitney Follette, Macey Gardner, Andi Lowrance, Mercedes Binns, and manager Whitney Perkins will be recognized for their contributions to the Sun Devil program.
Match Notes
Kills: C. Pickrell (14), Bailey (9), Follette (9)
Top Attack Pct: Binns (.667; 4K, 0E, 6TA), Bailey (.368; 9K, 2E, 19TA)
Assists: K. Pickrell (20), Arellano (18)
Digs: Arellano (14), Harker (12), C. Pickrell (11)
Double-Doubles: Arellano (12th; 18 assists & 14 digs), C. Pickrell (7th, 14 kills & 11 digs)
Top Blocks: Follette (7BA), Koonts (6BA), Binns (5BA)
ASU Season Notes:
First time ASU has won 19 or more wins in four straight seasons.
2015: 19 wins (as of 11/14)
2014: 20 wins
2013: 19 wins
2012: 20 wins
First time ASU has won eight or more conference wins since 1992-95
2015: 8 wins (as of 11/14)
2014: 9 wins
2013: 8 wins
2012: 9 wins
1995: 11 wins
1994: 11 wins
1993: 13 wins
1992: 11 wins
Career Records Of Note
*Head Coach Jason Watson’s 200th Career Head Coaching Victory*
Watson’s Win Milestones
1-BYU def. Nevada, 3-2 (24-30, 30-20, 30-26, 23-30, 15-10) (Aug. 27, 2005)*
25-BYU def. Utah, 3-1 (22-30, 30-28, 23-30, 26-30) (Nov. 26, 2005)
50-BYU def. UC Santa Barbara, 3-2 (27-30, 30-32, 30-27, 30-21, 15-12) (Nov. 30, 2006)
75-ASU def. South Carolina, 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-21) (Aug. 29, 2008)**
100-ASU def. Oregon State, 3-1 (25-16, 23-25, 25-20, 25-13) (Nov. 6, 2009)
125-ASU def. UTEP, 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-21) (Aug. 25, 2013)
150-ASU def. Texas, 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-21) (Sept. 13, 2013)
175-ASU def. California, 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21) (Oct. 10, 2014)
200-ASU def. Utah, 3-0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-23) (Nov. 14, 2015)
*Career head coaching debut
**Watson’s Arizona State coaching debut
Block Assists
1. Tina Berg, 1987-90—378
2. Whitney Follette (2012-present)—350
3. Sonja Markanovich, 2008-11—329
4. Sue Nord, 1986-89—305
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. Mercedes Binns, 2012-present)—271
10. Laura Hibsman, 1996-99—259
Total Blocks
1. Tina Berg (1987-90)—530
2. Tammy Webb (1983-86)—492
3. Whitney Follette (2012-present)—428
4. Sue Nord (1986-89)—421