TEMPE – Two pairs went undefeated but Sun Devil Beach Volleyball split its duals on Friday to start the Sun Devil Invitational, sweeping Utah before dropping a close 3-2 battle to No. 7 Grand Canyon.
Arizona State (9-11, 5-5 Pac-12) opened with its first sweep since February against Utah (8-20). Four of the five courts won in straight sets, including a dominating performance on court five, winning both sets 21-11. Against GCU (19-5), the dual was tied after the first wave. After the Lopes went up 2-1, the Devils' No. 1 pair tied it up before the dual was decided on court three.
ASU's top pair of Lexi Sweeney and Kylie Wickley won both duals in straight sets today, improving their season record to 9-11. The win over GCU was their third win over a pair from a ranked team this season. The other undefeated duo was the No. 4 pair of Taryn Ames and Sarah Waters. They also swept both of their opponents today to move to a team-best 12-8 record on the year. This was also their third ranked win this year.
Quotes
Sophomore Kylie Wickley
On what were some adjustments that you made throughout the match:
"I think one of the biggest adjustments that we made for the matches was serving. You have to solidify your serving to be a little more consistent in order to win. At the beginning of it, we were missing some of our serves here or there and then we became consistent and then we ended up winning."
On how keeping composure throughout the match:
"I think that was one of the biggest reasons as to why we won the game is because we kept our composure throughout the match. There were a few points where we had a few ace points on us or we hit it out and we had to stay together, keep talking, and regroup, and I think that helped us."
Assistant Coach Paul Araiza
On what were some adjustments that you made throughout the match:
"Honestly, the only thing that we have been working on is extending rallies. As long as we can extend rallies, especially here on these courts, it gives us a better shot at winning each point. That's the biggest thing, but obviously there are minor things that we change in the game. With extending rallies, the longer the ball continues to be in play, the more we are ready, and that is because of our conditioning."
On things they did well and what they can improve on tomorrow:
"I think we are really good at defense. The thing we need to do a better job of is terminate when we get those digs. You defend as the rally goes on, but we need to terminate right away. I think we need to do a better job at being more consistent with our offense."
On how the team kept their composure:
"Each team is different, obviously, but overall, I think our composure was there. GCU is a good team, but I don't think our composure has ever waived over the last few weeks. We've been pretty good."
Game One: ASU 5, Utah 0
The Sand Devils earned their first sweep since the opening weekend of the season, taking every match against the Utes. In the first flight, Ames and Waters dominated their set to set the tone. The No. 2 pair of Pemberton and Weber dropped their first set, but they battled back to win in three. The three matches in the second wave were all won in straight sets.
Final Results (Order of Finish: 4, 2, 3*, 5, 1)
Game Two: GCU 3, ASU 2
The Sand Devils fought hard against No. 7 GCU, but ultimately lost by just one. No. 4 veteran duo Ames and Waters got ASU their first point in a thrilling match, winning both sets 21-16, 21-19 for their third-straight win. No. 1 pairs continued to bring the energy, when they won in straight sets 21-18, 23-21. It all came down to court three, where the Lopes clinched the win in straight sets.
Final Results (Order of Finish: 2, 4, 5, 1, 3*)
Arizona State will host Park at 2 p.m. MST for Senior Day. It wll be free to the public and broadcast on the ASU Live Stream.
Arizona State (9-11, 5-5 Pac-12) opened with its first sweep since February against Utah (8-20). Four of the five courts won in straight sets, including a dominating performance on court five, winning both sets 21-11. Against GCU (19-5), the dual was tied after the first wave. After the Lopes went up 2-1, the Devils' No. 1 pair tied it up before the dual was decided on court three.
ASU's top pair of Lexi Sweeney and Kylie Wickley won both duals in straight sets today, improving their season record to 9-11. The win over GCU was their third win over a pair from a ranked team this season. The other undefeated duo was the No. 4 pair of Taryn Ames and Sarah Waters. They also swept both of their opponents today to move to a team-best 12-8 record on the year. This was also their third ranked win this year.
Quotes
Sophomore Kylie Wickley
On what were some adjustments that you made throughout the match:
"I think one of the biggest adjustments that we made for the matches was serving. You have to solidify your serving to be a little more consistent in order to win. At the beginning of it, we were missing some of our serves here or there and then we became consistent and then we ended up winning."
On how keeping composure throughout the match:
"I think that was one of the biggest reasons as to why we won the game is because we kept our composure throughout the match. There were a few points where we had a few ace points on us or we hit it out and we had to stay together, keep talking, and regroup, and I think that helped us."
That's a win on 1????
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 14, 2023
ASU 2, GCU 2#SandDevils /// #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/71A1DBJOEj
Assistant Coach Paul Araiza
On what were some adjustments that you made throughout the match:
"Honestly, the only thing that we have been working on is extending rallies. As long as we can extend rallies, especially here on these courts, it gives us a better shot at winning each point. That's the biggest thing, but obviously there are minor things that we change in the game. With extending rallies, the longer the ball continues to be in play, the more we are ready, and that is because of our conditioning."
On things they did well and what they can improve on tomorrow:
"I think we are really good at defense. The thing we need to do a better job of is terminate when we get those digs. You defend as the rally goes on, but we need to terminate right away. I think we need to do a better job at being more consistent with our offense."
On how the team kept their composure:
"Each team is different, obviously, but overall, I think our composure was there. GCU is a good team, but I don't think our composure has ever waived over the last few weeks. We've been pretty good."
Game One: ASU 5, Utah 0
The Sand Devils earned their first sweep since the opening weekend of the season, taking every match against the Utes. In the first flight, Ames and Waters dominated their set to set the tone. The No. 2 pair of Pemberton and Weber dropped their first set, but they battled back to win in three. The three matches in the second wave were all won in straight sets.
Final Results (Order of Finish: 4, 2, 3*, 5, 1)
- Lexi Sweeney/Kylie Wickley (ASU) def. McAlister/Messier (UTAH) 21-12, 23-21
- Anya Pemberton/Ivey Weber (ASU) def. Karich/Vezzani (UTAH) 17-21, 21-19, 15-8
- Rylie Kael/Carys Thomas (ASU) def. Andrews/Narancich (UTAH) 21-17, 21-18
- Taryn Ames/Sarah Waters (ASU) def. Jacinto/Pitzaak (UTAH) 21-16, 21-8
- Kate Fitzgerald/Adriana Nieves Papaleo (ASU) def. McOmber/Wessel (UTAH) 21-11, 21-11
Killer rally by @taryn10ames and Waters ??#SandDevils /// #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/RcME66X20y
— Sun Devil Beach VB (@SunDevilBeachVB) April 14, 2023
Game Two: GCU 3, ASU 2
The Sand Devils fought hard against No. 7 GCU, but ultimately lost by just one. No. 4 veteran duo Ames and Waters got ASU their first point in a thrilling match, winning both sets 21-16, 21-19 for their third-straight win. No. 1 pairs continued to bring the energy, when they won in straight sets 21-18, 23-21. It all came down to court three, where the Lopes clinched the win in straight sets.
Final Results (Order of Finish: 2, 4, 5, 1, 3*)
- Lexi Sweeney/Kylie Wickley (ASU) def. Hansen/Hughes (GCU) 21-18, 23-21
- Morin/Navas (GCU) def. Anya Pemberton/Ivey Weber (ASU) 21-14, 21-8
- Sanchez/Evans (GCU) def. Rylie Kael/Carys Thomas (ASU) 21-15, 21-14
- Taryn Ames/Sarah Waters (ASU) def. Rowan/Roskic (GCU) 21-16, 21-19
- Drake/Harris (GCU) def. Kate Fitzgerald/Adriana Nieves Papaleo (ASU) 21-10, 21-15
Arizona State will host Park at 2 p.m. MST for Senior Day. It wll be free to the public and broadcast on the ASU Live Stream.