TEMPE, Ariz. — Three hitters reached double figures in kills, but Sun Devil Volleyball came up short in straight sets against No. 25 Washington State (25-23, 25-22, 25-22) at home on Friday.
Notable Stats
Quotes
Head Coach Sanja Tomasevic
Opening Statement
"I'm disappointed in the performance tonight. We play well until the pressure hits and then when the pressure hits, we crumble. The beauty about the Pac-12 is you get a lot of good teams, a lot of ranked teams, a lot of tough opponents to play and the pressure is always going to be on. We just have to do better under pressure."
On a message for the team heading into Washington
"I told them after the game, we have to be able to perform under pressure. Life is pressure and they have to learn how to deal with pressure. They're hoping someone is going to make a mistake, rather than them having to make a play. You can't go through games like that. You have to go out there and earn it. I'm happy that we're playing these tough teams and seeing what it takes on the other side. We have to decide if we're going to match that or if we're going to continue making excuses."
On playing under pressure
"We just have to do things we are doing, all the time. Not just when it is easy but also when we are under pressure. Play it like it's 0-0. That's what it is going to take. We have players on the court that are doing a great job. Our hitters are saving us. I think our setting, passing, and blocking can be a lot better. Serving can be a lot better. We have to challenge the teams on the other side of the net."
Senior Libero Annika Larson-Nummer
On what team needs to emphasize against No. 20 Washington
"I think sometimes we show up at different times in the matches and I think being able to play consistently through all of that is key. We know that as a team but it's important as we move forward to actually implement that. And so I think that's something we've always been talking about, just starting strong and finishing strong. I think that'll be something that'll help us in the next game against Washington."
On what breaks momentum in games
"I think one thing that can get hard is when other teams go on a run. As a server gets more comfortable back on the line, they'll start going after it even more. So we try to emphasize one and done. But when that happens sometimes I think we try to overdo it and that's kind of where our mistakes come from. So I think we just have to take each play for what it is. We have to understand that siding out is probably one of the most important parts. Sanja talks about it a lot, serve or receive will win a match, and so we really have to focus on first ball side out, don't let them go on as many runs because then we cant earn our points."
On reaching 1,000 career digs milestone
"It's exciting, I think as you start to become a senior those little things are just encouragement that you're on the right track. I'm happy."
Set One: WSU 25, ASU 23
After the set started close, the Cougars took a 13-9 lead off a kill, which led to a Sun Devil timeout. A kill from Cyr tied up the set 14-14, coming off a 5-1 run for ASU. WSU created some separation off a 5-0 run to lead 21-16 with a service error from the Cougars ending the run. Cyr, who had five kills in the first set alone, brought the Sun Devils within three after consecutive kills, 23-20. On WSU's set point, the Sun Devils had a 3-0 spurt of their own off a block from Maddie McLaughlin, an ace by Levinska and a service error from the Cougars to make it 24-23. WSU took the set on an error, 25-23.
Set Two: WSU 25, ASU 22
The Sun Devils opened the set with a 5-3 lead off back-to-back kills by Levinska. WSU tied the set 11-11 off an error, and from there the teams remained very close. Down 20-18 off a kill, ASU took a timeout. Creating some separation, the Cougars led by four, 23-19. WSU took the set on a service error, 25-22.
Set Three: WSU 25, ASU 22
ASU and WSU traded points to start the set and remained neck in neck throughout the majority of the frame. Late in the set, the Sun Devils took a 18-16 lead off kills from Cyr and Levinska. The Cougars regained the lead, 21-20, off a kill and ASU called a timeout. Coming out of their second timeout, Levinska and Andi Kreiling got the block, but the Cougars took the set and match on a kill, 25-22.
Up Next
Arizona State will host No. 20 Washington on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST. Fans not in attendance can watch on the ASU Live Stream.
Notable Stats
- Arizona State (11-16, 5-10 Pac-12) battled No. 25 Washington State (18-8, 10-5 Pac-12) close despite the sweep, staying within three points in all three sets.
- Geli Cyr and Marta Levinska led the team with 12 kills each. Cyr also had 11 digs for a double-double, her second this season. Levinska hit on a .385 clip and also had six digs.
- Senior libero Annika Larson-Nummer has now surpassed 1,000 career digs after finishing the night with 12. She is the 21st Sun Devil to reach this milestone. Tonight was also her 12th match in a row reaching double figures in kills.
- After having 10 kills this evening, senior Iman Isanovic is now in sole possession of ninth place for career kills as she now has 1,316 in her career.
- Senior setter Shannon Shields dished out 31 assists this evening. She also added an ace.
- Sophomore defensive specialist Meadow Cooper had a season-high five digs.
Quotes
Head Coach Sanja Tomasevic
Opening Statement
"I'm disappointed in the performance tonight. We play well until the pressure hits and then when the pressure hits, we crumble. The beauty about the Pac-12 is you get a lot of good teams, a lot of ranked teams, a lot of tough opponents to play and the pressure is always going to be on. We just have to do better under pressure."
On a message for the team heading into Washington
"I told them after the game, we have to be able to perform under pressure. Life is pressure and they have to learn how to deal with pressure. They're hoping someone is going to make a mistake, rather than them having to make a play. You can't go through games like that. You have to go out there and earn it. I'm happy that we're playing these tough teams and seeing what it takes on the other side. We have to decide if we're going to match that or if we're going to continue making excuses."
On playing under pressure
"We just have to do things we are doing, all the time. Not just when it is easy but also when we are under pressure. Play it like it's 0-0. That's what it is going to take. We have players on the court that are doing a great job. Our hitters are saving us. I think our setting, passing, and blocking can be a lot better. Serving can be a lot better. We have to challenge the teams on the other side of the net."
Congrats to Annika Larson-Nummer for becoming the 21st Sun Devil to reach 1,000 career digs?? ??#ForksUp /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/45TCKpfNWA
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) November 12, 2022
Senior Libero Annika Larson-Nummer
On what team needs to emphasize against No. 20 Washington
"I think sometimes we show up at different times in the matches and I think being able to play consistently through all of that is key. We know that as a team but it's important as we move forward to actually implement that. And so I think that's something we've always been talking about, just starting strong and finishing strong. I think that'll be something that'll help us in the next game against Washington."
On what breaks momentum in games
"I think one thing that can get hard is when other teams go on a run. As a server gets more comfortable back on the line, they'll start going after it even more. So we try to emphasize one and done. But when that happens sometimes I think we try to overdo it and that's kind of where our mistakes come from. So I think we just have to take each play for what it is. We have to understand that siding out is probably one of the most important parts. Sanja talks about it a lot, serve or receive will win a match, and so we really have to focus on first ball side out, don't let them go on as many runs because then we cant earn our points."
On reaching 1,000 career digs milestone
"It's exciting, I think as you start to become a senior those little things are just encouragement that you're on the right track. I'm happy."
Set One: WSU 25, ASU 23
After the set started close, the Cougars took a 13-9 lead off a kill, which led to a Sun Devil timeout. A kill from Cyr tied up the set 14-14, coming off a 5-1 run for ASU. WSU created some separation off a 5-0 run to lead 21-16 with a service error from the Cougars ending the run. Cyr, who had five kills in the first set alone, brought the Sun Devils within three after consecutive kills, 23-20. On WSU's set point, the Sun Devils had a 3-0 spurt of their own off a block from Maddie McLaughlin, an ace by Levinska and a service error from the Cougars to make it 24-23. WSU took the set on an error, 25-23.
Set Two: WSU 25, ASU 22
The Sun Devils opened the set with a 5-3 lead off back-to-back kills by Levinska. WSU tied the set 11-11 off an error, and from there the teams remained very close. Down 20-18 off a kill, ASU took a timeout. Creating some separation, the Cougars led by four, 23-19. WSU took the set on a service error, 25-22.
Set Three: WSU 25, ASU 22
ASU and WSU traded points to start the set and remained neck in neck throughout the majority of the frame. Late in the set, the Sun Devils took a 18-16 lead off kills from Cyr and Levinska. The Cougars regained the lead, 21-20, off a kill and ASU called a timeout. Coming out of their second timeout, Levinska and Andi Kreiling got the block, but the Cougars took the set and match on a kill, 25-22.
Up Next
Arizona State will host No. 20 Washington on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST. Fans not in attendance can watch on the ASU Live Stream.