TEMPE, Ariz. – The No. 20 Arizona State volleyball team (18-7, 7-7 Pac-12) defeated the visiting Washington State Cougars in four close sets (26-24, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23) on Sunday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena.
Junior Cassidy Pickrell led the Sun Devils with 17 kills and 21 digs, and freshman Lexi MacLean had a career-high 13 kills to go along with her 14 digs.
“I don’t know why I doubt this group,” head coach Jason Watson said. “They have always been resilient. You just have to be in this conference, you learn that fast.”
Junior Bree Bailey (13) and Mercedes Binns (12, with a .409 attack percentage) also finished with double-digit kills for ASU.
“I was really happy with Mercedes’ play today,” Watson said. “She hit over .400 on 22 swings. That’s a nice performance for a middle and I was very pleased with her effort.”
The setter duo of Bianca Arellano (28 assists, 13 digs) and Kylie Pickrell (23 assists, nine digs) combined for 51 assists and 22 digs. Arellano now has 10 double-doubles this season
Kyra Holt led Washington State with 19 kills and 12 digs, while setter Haley MacDonald added 51 assists and 10 digs for the Cougars.
Up next for ASU is an away matchup against Colorado on Thursday November 12 at 7 p.m. MT. The Sun Devils will then travel to Utah to take on the Utes on Saturday November 14 at 7 p.m. Both matches will be live streamed on Colorado and Utah’s respective websites.
Match Notes
Kills: C. Pickrell (17), MacLean (13), Bailey (13), Binns (12)
Top Attack Pct: Binns (.409; 12K, 3E, 22TA), Koonts (.375; 4K, 1E, 8TA),
Assists: Arellano (28), K. Pickrell (23)
Digs: C. Pickrell (21), Harker (15), MacLean (14), Arellano (13), K. Pickrell (9)
Double-Doubles: Arellano (10th, 28 assists & 13 digs), C. Pickrell (5th, 17 kills & 21 digs), MacLean (1st, 13 kills & 14 digs)
Blocks: Follette (5TB; 3BS & 2BA), Koonts (4TB; 2BS & 2BA)
Career Highs
C. Pickrell (21 digs)
Lexi MacLean (13 kills, 14 digs)
Career Records Of Note
Block Assists
1. Tina Berg, 1987-90—378
2. Whitney Follette (2012-present)—336
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. Laura Hibsman, 1996-99—259
10. Mercedes Binns, 2012-present)—258
Kirstin Mattson, 1993-97—258
*Coach Watson is one win away from his 200th head coaching victory (199-141, 11 years)