TEMPE, Ariz. – The Sun Devil Beach Volleyball seniors went undefeated to help Arizona State get wins over Ottawa and Park in the home finale on Friday afternoon at the Sun Devil Beach Volleyball Facility.
Arizona State (15-13) went 4-2 at home in the inaugural season with the new facility. Prior to ASU's duals, seniors Cierra Flood, Maddy Salazar and Lauren Weintraub were all honored for their illustrious careers. All three of them started in both duals and won in both. Flood broke her tie for second place in the record book for career wins, improving to 63 total victories.
Four Sand Devils made their collegiate debuts as the team tried out some new lineups to help give more experience to the squad. Freshman Kaitlyn Winkelman, sophomore Maia Nichols and junior Maria Kowal all started in the first dual, each of them winning on their courts. In the second dual, junior Shane Burleson won on her court and sophomore Ivey Weber made her debut on court two.
Two Sun Devils are in a tie for the most wins this season with 16. Salazar and sophomore Kate Fitzgerald each have that mark, Fitzgerald with a 16-11 record and Salazar going 16-10.
Quotes
Head Coach Brad Keenan
On general thoughts on the day:
"Overall, it was a pretty good day. We had one, maybe two partnerships that played the same as they've been playing during the year. We're doing a good job of playing with anybody and for the most part and getting the job done today."
On feelings about the team heading into Pac-12's:
"I think we're in a good spot. I think at the Pac-12 North, they were playing their best volleyball this year. Just have to get back and grind for another week in practice and then we'll see how it goes."
On the seniors and their legacy:
"They certainly helped bring this program to a more successful place that will continue to grow after they leave. I think they've had a big impact, most of them have played a ton of matches for us. All three of them are in the top 20 in career wins. Being able to have them for four, and Cierra for five years, is awesome."
Fifth-Year Senior Cierra Flood
Playing last games at home
"It was exciting to play our last games at home, especially since we have our home courts now. I was really trying to soak it in because I know it will never be the same. I mean I am sure we will come back and play pick up, but still it was exciting to win on the last day."
What being a Sun Devil has meant
"It has definitely been exciting to represent your school at the highest level and I have just loved being part of a team and having that support for the last five years. I am really grateful for the experience and the opportunities being a student athlete has given me."
Feeling heading towards Pac-12s
"I think we have done a good job at competing against some of those top teams when we do play them so I think if we stay in the fight and keep grinding like we have been, the tide could turn our way."
Senior Maddy Salazar
What being a Sun Devil has meant
"I am super thankful to be able to represent such a big school. My younger self would be proud of myself because. If you told me 10 years ago, I probably would have thought you were lying. I am really excited to be finishing it out. It's not just sad, it's more of an accomplishment of how far I've come."
Feeling heading towards Pac-12s
"I feel like heading into Pac-12s, we have to be confident in how much we have trained. This would be a good time to get some upset and just get as far as we can."
Senior Lauren Weintraub
What being a Sun Devil has meant
"I think it's always cool to be a part of something bigger than yourself because you are like a family trying towards a goal. I think especially getting the courts and being a part of this program seeing how much we've improved just in the last four years is exciting knowing that they are going to grow so much more than they already have. It's cool we are a part of setting the foundation for a program that is continuing to get better and better."
Game One: Arizona State 5. Ottawa 0
Three made their collegiate debuts in ASU's sweep over Ottawa (17-10) in the first dual. Of the Sun Devils' five points, four were won in straight sets, the pair of Taryn Ames and Salazar dominating theirs in particular. The match in the No. 3 spot was the lone one to go to three sets.
Results (Order of Finish: 4, 2, 5*, 1, 3)
1) Cierra Flood/Lexi Sweeney (ASU) def. Dizon/ Pestova (OUAZ) 21-15, 21-12
2) Anya Pemberton/Kaitlyn Winkelman (ASU) def. Chavarria/ Defer (OUAZ) 21-18, 21-18
3) Maria Kowal/Maia Nichols (ASU) def. Wilson/ Viray (OUAZ) 24-22, 15-21, 15-11
4) Taryn Ames/Maddy Salazar (ASU) def. Carlson/ Lara (OUAZ) 21-5, 21-11
5) Jensen Kaelin/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) def. Andersh/ Mohring (OUAZ) 21-17, 21-9
Game Two: Arizona State 4, Park 1
The home slate wrapped up with a 4-1 win over Park (11-10). Three points were won in straight sets, including dominating wins by the top pair of Flood and Lexi Sweeney and the No. 4 pair of Salazar and Kylie Wickley.
Results (Order of Finish: 4, 2, 3, 1*, 5)
1) Cierra Flood/Lexi Sweeney (ASU) def. Bacon/ Lauer (PARK) 21-10, 21-11
2) Hicks/ Wallace (PARK) def. Anya Pemberton/Ivey Weber (ASU) 21-19, 20-22, 15-13
3) Kate Fitzgerald/Rylie Kael (ASU) def. Hughes/ Romine-Black (PARK) 21-9, 21-7
4) Maddy Salazar/Kylie Wickley (ASU) def. Kala'l/ Kroczynski (PARK) 21-5, 21-10
5) Shane Burleson/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) def. Medlin/ Urban (PARK) 20-22, 21-13, 15-8
Up Next
The Sand Devils are off next week before heading to the 2022 Pac-12 Championships in Tucson, which begin on April 27 on the Pac-12 Network.
Arizona State (15-13) went 4-2 at home in the inaugural season with the new facility. Prior to ASU's duals, seniors Cierra Flood, Maddy Salazar and Lauren Weintraub were all honored for their illustrious careers. All three of them started in both duals and won in both. Flood broke her tie for second place in the record book for career wins, improving to 63 total victories.
Four Sand Devils made their collegiate debuts as the team tried out some new lineups to help give more experience to the squad. Freshman Kaitlyn Winkelman, sophomore Maia Nichols and junior Maria Kowal all started in the first dual, each of them winning on their courts. In the second dual, junior Shane Burleson won on her court and sophomore Ivey Weber made her debut on court two.
Two Sun Devils are in a tie for the most wins this season with 16. Salazar and sophomore Kate Fitzgerald each have that mark, Fitzgerald with a 16-11 record and Salazar going 16-10.
Quotes
Head Coach Brad Keenan
On general thoughts on the day:
"Overall, it was a pretty good day. We had one, maybe two partnerships that played the same as they've been playing during the year. We're doing a good job of playing with anybody and for the most part and getting the job done today."
On feelings about the team heading into Pac-12's:
"I think we're in a good spot. I think at the Pac-12 North, they were playing their best volleyball this year. Just have to get back and grind for another week in practice and then we'll see how it goes."
On the seniors and their legacy:
"They certainly helped bring this program to a more successful place that will continue to grow after they leave. I think they've had a big impact, most of them have played a ton of matches for us. All three of them are in the top 20 in career wins. Being able to have them for four, and Cierra for five years, is awesome."
Sun Devils for life ?? pic.twitter.com/NMpxTsetpK
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 15, 2022
Fifth-Year Senior Cierra Flood
Playing last games at home
"It was exciting to play our last games at home, especially since we have our home courts now. I was really trying to soak it in because I know it will never be the same. I mean I am sure we will come back and play pick up, but still it was exciting to win on the last day."
What being a Sun Devil has meant
"It has definitely been exciting to represent your school at the highest level and I have just loved being part of a team and having that support for the last five years. I am really grateful for the experience and the opportunities being a student athlete has given me."
Feeling heading towards Pac-12s
"I think we have done a good job at competing against some of those top teams when we do play them so I think if we stay in the fight and keep grinding like we have been, the tide could turn our way."
Senior Maddy Salazar
What being a Sun Devil has meant
"I am super thankful to be able to represent such a big school. My younger self would be proud of myself because. If you told me 10 years ago, I probably would have thought you were lying. I am really excited to be finishing it out. It's not just sad, it's more of an accomplishment of how far I've come."
Feeling heading towards Pac-12s
"I feel like heading into Pac-12s, we have to be confident in how much we have trained. This would be a good time to get some upset and just get as far as we can."
Senior Lauren Weintraub
What being a Sun Devil has meant
"I think it's always cool to be a part of something bigger than yourself because you are like a family trying towards a goal. I think especially getting the courts and being a part of this program seeing how much we've improved just in the last four years is exciting knowing that they are going to grow so much more than they already have. It's cool we are a part of setting the foundation for a program that is continuing to get better and better."
.@laurenw_12 with the hustle???? pic.twitter.com/ffY2qtFBLg
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 15, 2022
Game One: Arizona State 5. Ottawa 0
Three made their collegiate debuts in ASU's sweep over Ottawa (17-10) in the first dual. Of the Sun Devils' five points, four were won in straight sets, the pair of Taryn Ames and Salazar dominating theirs in particular. The match in the No. 3 spot was the lone one to go to three sets.
Results (Order of Finish: 4, 2, 5*, 1, 3)
1) Cierra Flood/Lexi Sweeney (ASU) def. Dizon/ Pestova (OUAZ) 21-15, 21-12
2) Anya Pemberton/Kaitlyn Winkelman (ASU) def. Chavarria/ Defer (OUAZ) 21-18, 21-18
3) Maria Kowal/Maia Nichols (ASU) def. Wilson/ Viray (OUAZ) 24-22, 15-21, 15-11
4) Taryn Ames/Maddy Salazar (ASU) def. Carlson/ Lara (OUAZ) 21-5, 21-11
5) Jensen Kaelin/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) def. Andersh/ Mohring (OUAZ) 21-17, 21-9
and that's a match WIN for 4??s @maddysalazar7 and @taryn10ames ??
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 15, 2022
ASU 1, OUAZ 0 pic.twitter.com/Bwx0U3BnTf
Game Two: Arizona State 4, Park 1
The home slate wrapped up with a 4-1 win over Park (11-10). Three points were won in straight sets, including dominating wins by the top pair of Flood and Lexi Sweeney and the No. 4 pair of Salazar and Kylie Wickley.
Results (Order of Finish: 4, 2, 3, 1*, 5)
1) Cierra Flood/Lexi Sweeney (ASU) def. Bacon/ Lauer (PARK) 21-10, 21-11
2) Hicks/ Wallace (PARK) def. Anya Pemberton/Ivey Weber (ASU) 21-19, 20-22, 15-13
3) Kate Fitzgerald/Rylie Kael (ASU) def. Hughes/ Romine-Black (PARK) 21-9, 21-7
4) Maddy Salazar/Kylie Wickley (ASU) def. Kala'l/ Kroczynski (PARK) 21-5, 21-10
5) Shane Burleson/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) def. Medlin/ Urban (PARK) 20-22, 21-13, 15-8
now that's a match point?? @cierraflood13 and Lexi Sweeney clinch the dual for the Devils!! pic.twitter.com/0FYSOu9fFo
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 15, 2022
Up Next
The Sand Devils are off next week before heading to the 2022 Pac-12 Championships in Tucson, which begin on April 27 on the Pac-12 Network.