SEATTLE - Despite strong performances from underclassmen, Sun Devil Volleyball dropped the match at No. 8 Washington in four sets, splitting the weekend.
Notable Stats
Arizona State Head Coach Sanja Tomasevic
"Tough loss, but we never really found our groove in tonight's match. We lost a serve receive battle and that's the one you have to win if you want to win at this level. Washington did a great job adjusting to some of the things we did well last night, so props to them. They are a team that has experienced players with Elite Eight kind of experience and you can't teach that. I am super proud of our team and the way we played against a great opponent on the road. This is a young group and we will have some amazing games and some not so great ones due to the lack of experience and discipline. But I guarantee you it will never be because we don't want it or because we don't play hard. We get two days off and return back to the practice on Tuesday to get ready for another tough opponent next week."
Set One: Washington 26, Arizona State 24
The Sun Devils were able to get the first point of the match from a service error by the Huskies. The game was tied multiple times, with Arizona State's biggest lead being 14-8. A 6-0 UW run brought the score back to a 19-point tie. The Sun Devils led again until an ace from the Huskies brought the home team to a 26-24 win.
Set Two: Arizona State 25, Washington 23
While the Huskies started out set two strong with a kill, the Sun Devils were able to take the lead early on. ASU went on an eight-point run, with Isanovic and Levinska helping to make the score 18-9. Four-straight points from UW later on narrowed the Sun Devils' lead, getting as close as 24-23. Ultimately, the Huskies' hitting error allowed for the Sun Devils to win the second frame 25-23.
Set Three: Washington 25, Arizona State 21
Set three again started off with back and forth ties between the two teams. The Huskies took the lead to 6-5 after a timeout and continued to push their lead. Levinska ended a seven-point Husky stretch, however UW regained a 10-point lead. With the score being 20-10 in favor of the Huskies, kills from Beedie and Isanovic helped to narrow the lead to 23-16. The Sun Devils put up five-consecutive points until the Huskies clinched the set with a kill.
Set Four: Washington 25, Arizona State 23
The Huskies took the first point this set on an ASU service error but a block by Rabelo got the Sun Devils on the board. The Huskies led most of the set and were up by as many as seven. A 5-0 run and kills by Rabelo, Beedie, Levinska, and Boyd narrowed the lead to 19-17. Another kill by Beedie and a strategic corner shot brought the score to 24-23, however the comeback came up short as the Huskies took this set and a win over the Sun Devils.
Up Next
On Thursday, January 28, the Sun Devils will face Washington State in the first of a a two-game series at Desert Financial Arena. Fans can watch on the ASU Live Stream or follow along on live stats or on social media (@SunDevilVB).
Notable Stats
- Arizona State (1-1) was tied 1-1 with Washington (1-1) through two sets before the Huskies went on to win the next two for the match. They each took one match this weekend.
- The Sun Devils were out-hit by the Huskies, .273 to .201. However, ASU's defense was strong, totaling 90 digs to UW's 77. Four Sun Devils reached double figures in digs.
- Freshman Ella Snyder had 37 assists and 29 digs, the first time a Sun Devil has had a double-double with 20-plus in two categories since Nicole Peterson did so on October 12, 2018 against USC when she had 29 assists and 23 digs.
- Iman Isanovic and Marta Levinska continue to rack up the kills, both getting to double figures for the second match in a row. Isanovic led the team with 16 kills as well as nine digs and matched her career high in aces with three. Levinska had 13 kills and 10 digs for her first double-double.
- Freshman Roberta Rabelo had nine kills playing in all four sets for a new career high. Another freshman Alasia Ureña notched a new career high for herself in digs with 13.
- Middle blockers Megan Beedie and Kennedi Boyd tallied eight and nine kills, respectively. Boyd had a team-high four blocks.
- Sophomore Emily Holbrook made her collegiate debut in the four set, collecting three digs.
QuotesIMAN WITH AN ABSOLUTE ROCKET ??
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) January 23, 2021
Her 7th kill on the day ??
?? https://t.co/4tKAaY8VH9 pic.twitter.com/GMu9NsiFp2
Arizona State Head Coach Sanja Tomasevic
"Tough loss, but we never really found our groove in tonight's match. We lost a serve receive battle and that's the one you have to win if you want to win at this level. Washington did a great job adjusting to some of the things we did well last night, so props to them. They are a team that has experienced players with Elite Eight kind of experience and you can't teach that. I am super proud of our team and the way we played against a great opponent on the road. This is a young group and we will have some amazing games and some not so great ones due to the lack of experience and discipline. But I guarantee you it will never be because we don't want it or because we don't play hard. We get two days off and return back to the practice on Tuesday to get ready for another tough opponent next week."
Set One: Washington 26, Arizona State 24
The Sun Devils were able to get the first point of the match from a service error by the Huskies. The game was tied multiple times, with Arizona State's biggest lead being 14-8. A 6-0 UW run brought the score back to a 19-point tie. The Sun Devils led again until an ace from the Huskies brought the home team to a 26-24 win.
Set Two: Arizona State 25, Washington 23
While the Huskies started out set two strong with a kill, the Sun Devils were able to take the lead early on. ASU went on an eight-point run, with Isanovic and Levinska helping to make the score 18-9. Four-straight points from UW later on narrowed the Sun Devils' lead, getting as close as 24-23. Ultimately, the Huskies' hitting error allowed for the Sun Devils to win the second frame 25-23.
Sun Devils take Set Two ????
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) January 24, 2021
?? https://t.co/4tKAaY8VH9 pic.twitter.com/CPsYEQt7mc
Set Three: Washington 25, Arizona State 21
Set three again started off with back and forth ties between the two teams. The Huskies took the lead to 6-5 after a timeout and continued to push their lead. Levinska ended a seven-point Husky stretch, however UW regained a 10-point lead. With the score being 20-10 in favor of the Huskies, kills from Beedie and Isanovic helped to narrow the lead to 23-16. The Sun Devils put up five-consecutive points until the Huskies clinched the set with a kill.
Set Four: Washington 25, Arizona State 23
The Huskies took the first point this set on an ASU service error but a block by Rabelo got the Sun Devils on the board. The Huskies led most of the set and were up by as many as seven. A 5-0 run and kills by Rabelo, Beedie, Levinska, and Boyd narrowed the lead to 19-17. Another kill by Beedie and a strategic corner shot brought the score to 24-23, however the comeback came up short as the Huskies took this set and a win over the Sun Devils.
Up Next
On Thursday, January 28, the Sun Devils will face Washington State in the first of a a two-game series at Desert Financial Arena. Fans can watch on the ASU Live Stream or follow along on live stats or on social media (@SunDevilVB).