TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona State beach volleyball team (10-13) honored a tremendously impactful senior class before their second match of the day in fitting fashion, sweeping Vanguard, 5-0, Saturday evening at PERA Club.
All five seniors were a part of a winning pair in the Sand Devils 5-0 sweep, including the senior teams of Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera and Frances Giedraitis/Halle Harker, who both captured 2-0 sweeps in their respective matches. The fifth-member of the senior class, Sydney Palmer, and her partner Ellyson Lundberg, cruised to victory in a two-set match, taking set one by a dominating score of 21-4.
Winners in seven of their last ten matches, the senior class combined with increased contributions from the younger athletes has led to massive improvement which has the team peaking at the right time.
The Sand Devils also competed against No. 17 Stetson earlier in the day, falling to the Hatters 4-1. The pairing of Katelyn Carballo and Ellyson Lundberg continue to display excellent chemistry, as they toppled the Stetson No. 3 pairing to earn the Sand Devils only point of the match.
Competing as the number one pairing in both matches, seniors Kwyn Johnson and Mia Rivera finished the day on top, as they controlled a two-set victory over the No. 1 pair for Vanguard.
"This program has meant a lot," senior Kwyn Johnson said after the match. "I have met the most amazing people. These girls are amazing, the coaches have been great, and I really can't express how much I love them." The victory for the seniors Johnson and Rivera gave the Sand Devils a 4-0 lead in the match. "This program has meant a bunch to me," fellow senior Mia Rivera added. "I have grown so much with it, each year getting better and better. Helping me not only with volleyball, but life as well."
Seniors Frances Giedraitis and Halle Harker were slotted as the No. 2 pairing for the Sun Devils in the second match against Vanguard. Playing with emotion, Coach Keenan's decision to team up the seniors payed off in a big way. Giedraitis and Harker made quick work of the Lion's No. 2 team, taking both sets including a 21-7 victory in set two. By virtue of the Giedraitis and Harker victory, the Sun Devils picked up their third victory of the match, clinching the dual.
Ellyson Lundberg and Katelyn Carballo were the only pairing to pick up a victory over the Hatters in the Sun Devils first match of the day. The outstanding sophomore duo now has 25 victories together as a team since arriving on campus in Tempe. Replacing Carballo in the pair for the second match, senior Sydney Palmer made sure Arizona State's No. 3 team did not miss a beat. Palmer and Lundberg took care of business in the final match to finish up the evening, earning a five-match sweep for the Sand Devils.
Katie Cross and Cierra Flood represented the fourth pairing for the Sun Devils for both matches. After falling in a tough, three-set match in the prior bout against Stetson, Cross and Flood bounced back displaying resilience along the way. The pair would have no trouble knocking of the No. 4 pair for Vanguard, a win that would put the Sand Devils in the driver's seat with a 2-0 lead in the match.
The fifth pairing of Kate Baldwin and Samantha Plaster remained the same as it has most of the season. The duo looked locked in once again in their second match of the day. Baldwin and Plaster would set the tone for the nightcap against Vanguard, with their resounding 21-5 & 21-3 victories electrifying a packed house at the PERA Club.
It was an extremely competitive affair earlier in the day as the Sand Devils dropped their match against No. 17 Stetson, 4-1, with the Hatters earning three of their victories in a deciding third set.
Match Three: Arizona State 5 vs. Vanguard University 0
7 p.m. PT | PERA Club
1. Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera (ASU) def. Kayla Tinker/Gabby Morrison (VU): 21-13, 21-13`
2. Frances Giedraitis/Halle Harker (ASU) def. Kelli Dowell/Hannah Holder (VU): 21-14, 21-7
3. Sydney Palmer/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) def. Dani Erdelatz/Charity Dennis (VU): 21-4, 21-17
4. Cierra Flood/Katie Cross (ASU) def. Ellana Johnson/Karly Cantu (VU): 21-13, 21-13
5. Kate Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU) def. Bree Belton/Karli Burk (VU): 21-5, 21-3
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 2*, 1, 3
*Clinched win
Match One: Stetson University 4 vs. Arizona State 1
3 p.m. PT | PERA Club
1. Sammee Thomas/Darby Dunn (SU) def. Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera (ASU): 21-19, 21-8
2. Carly Perales/Sunniva Helland-Hansen (SU) vs. Sydney Palmer/Kara Woodward (ASU): 22-20, 18-21, 15-9
3. Katelyn Carballo/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) def. Samantha Harris/Rachel Noble (SU): 21-19, 23-21
4. Julie Varga/Lauren Durham (SU) def. Cierra Flood/Katie Cross (ASU) : 21-19, 16-21, 15-10
5. Rebecca Ingram/Quinci Birker (SU) def. Katie Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU): 21-18, 9-21, 16-14
EXH. Alexa Richardson/Katinka Krahn (SU) def. Halle Harker/Frances Giedraitis (ASU): 21-16, 21-16
Order of Finish: 6, 4, 5, 1*, 3, 2
*Clinched win
Up next, the Sand Devils prepare to travel to Hawaii to participate in the Hawaii Tournament hosted by the University of Hawaii. Arizona State will participate in four matches over the two-day tournament. First, the Sun Devils will take on Boise State at 1:00 P.M. before facing off with host Hawaii at 4:00 P.M. On Day Two, the Sand Devils once again compete against the same two teams, battling Boise State at 1:00 P.M. before a rematch with Hawaii at 7:00 P.M.
All five seniors were a part of a winning pair in the Sand Devils 5-0 sweep, including the senior teams of Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera and Frances Giedraitis/Halle Harker, who both captured 2-0 sweeps in their respective matches. The fifth-member of the senior class, Sydney Palmer, and her partner Ellyson Lundberg, cruised to victory in a two-set match, taking set one by a dominating score of 21-4.
Sent our seniors out with a victory! ??????
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 8, 2018
We can't thank our Senior Class enough for all their hard work and dedication throughout their careers! They will forever be a part of the Sun Devil Beach Volleyball family! pic.twitter.com/ibtrl0HSqC
Winners in seven of their last ten matches, the senior class combined with increased contributions from the younger athletes has led to massive improvement which has the team peaking at the right time.
The Sand Devils also competed against No. 17 Stetson earlier in the day, falling to the Hatters 4-1. The pairing of Katelyn Carballo and Ellyson Lundberg continue to display excellent chemistry, as they toppled the Stetson No. 3 pairing to earn the Sand Devils only point of the match.
Competing as the number one pairing in both matches, seniors Kwyn Johnson and Mia Rivera finished the day on top, as they controlled a two-set victory over the No. 1 pair for Vanguard.
"This program has meant a lot," senior Kwyn Johnson said after the match. "I have met the most amazing people. These girls are amazing, the coaches have been great, and I really can't express how much I love them." The victory for the seniors Johnson and Rivera gave the Sand Devils a 4-0 lead in the match. "This program has meant a bunch to me," fellow senior Mia Rivera added. "I have grown so much with it, each year getting better and better. Helping me not only with volleyball, but life as well."
Seniors Frances Giedraitis and Halle Harker were slotted as the No. 2 pairing for the Sun Devils in the second match against Vanguard. Playing with emotion, Coach Keenan's decision to team up the seniors payed off in a big way. Giedraitis and Harker made quick work of the Lion's No. 2 team, taking both sets including a 21-7 victory in set two. By virtue of the Giedraitis and Harker victory, the Sun Devils picked up their third victory of the match, clinching the dual.
Ellyson Lundberg and Katelyn Carballo were the only pairing to pick up a victory over the Hatters in the Sun Devils first match of the day. The outstanding sophomore duo now has 25 victories together as a team since arriving on campus in Tempe. Replacing Carballo in the pair for the second match, senior Sydney Palmer made sure Arizona State's No. 3 team did not miss a beat. Palmer and Lundberg took care of business in the final match to finish up the evening, earning a five-match sweep for the Sand Devils.
Katie Cross and Cierra Flood represented the fourth pairing for the Sun Devils for both matches. After falling in a tough, three-set match in the prior bout against Stetson, Cross and Flood bounced back displaying resilience along the way. The pair would have no trouble knocking of the No. 4 pair for Vanguard, a win that would put the Sand Devils in the driver's seat with a 2-0 lead in the match.
The fifth pairing of Kate Baldwin and Samantha Plaster remained the same as it has most of the season. The duo looked locked in once again in their second match of the day. Baldwin and Plaster would set the tone for the nightcap against Vanguard, with their resounding 21-5 & 21-3 victories electrifying a packed house at the PERA Club.
It was an extremely competitive affair earlier in the day as the Sand Devils dropped their match against No. 17 Stetson, 4-1, with the Hatters earning three of their victories in a deciding third set.
Match Three: Arizona State 5 vs. Vanguard University 0
7 p.m. PT | PERA Club
1. Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera (ASU) def. Kayla Tinker/Gabby Morrison (VU): 21-13, 21-13`
2. Frances Giedraitis/Halle Harker (ASU) def. Kelli Dowell/Hannah Holder (VU): 21-14, 21-7
3. Sydney Palmer/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) def. Dani Erdelatz/Charity Dennis (VU): 21-4, 21-17
4. Cierra Flood/Katie Cross (ASU) def. Ellana Johnson/Karly Cantu (VU): 21-13, 21-13
5. Kate Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU) def. Bree Belton/Karli Burk (VU): 21-5, 21-3
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 2*, 1, 3
*Clinched win
Match One: Stetson University 4 vs. Arizona State 1
3 p.m. PT | PERA Club
1. Sammee Thomas/Darby Dunn (SU) def. Kwyn Johnson/Mia Rivera (ASU): 21-19, 21-8
2. Carly Perales/Sunniva Helland-Hansen (SU) vs. Sydney Palmer/Kara Woodward (ASU): 22-20, 18-21, 15-9
3. Katelyn Carballo/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) def. Samantha Harris/Rachel Noble (SU): 21-19, 23-21
4. Julie Varga/Lauren Durham (SU) def. Cierra Flood/Katie Cross (ASU) : 21-19, 16-21, 15-10
5. Rebecca Ingram/Quinci Birker (SU) def. Katie Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU): 21-18, 9-21, 16-14
EXH. Alexa Richardson/Katinka Krahn (SU) def. Halle Harker/Frances Giedraitis (ASU): 21-16, 21-16
Order of Finish: 6, 4, 5, 1*, 3, 2
*Clinched win
Up next, the Sand Devils prepare to travel to Hawaii to participate in the Hawaii Tournament hosted by the University of Hawaii. Arizona State will participate in four matches over the two-day tournament. First, the Sun Devils will take on Boise State at 1:00 P.M. before facing off with host Hawaii at 4:00 P.M. On Day Two, the Sand Devils once again compete against the same two teams, battling Boise State at 1:00 P.M. before a rematch with Hawaii at 7:00 P.M.