TEMPE – Playing in front of a loud, Friday night crowd, No. 15 Sun Devil Volleyball notched its 10th sweep of the year after defeating No. 20 BYU (25-17, 25-17, 25-20) at Desert Financial Arena.
Notable Stats
The Sun Devils started off this closely contested set by exchanging points with the Cougars until ASU rattled off a four-point run, forcing BYU to call a timeout, 7-3. The Sun Devils did not take their foot off of the gas, finishing what they started with another three-point run, capitalized by a Shroll service ace. However, the Cougars fought back with a five-point run of their own and eventually got within one at 11-10 before the Sun Devils had to slow the momentum with a timeout. Jeter ended ASU's scoring drought with a ferocious spike for the kill, 12-11. The Sun Devils rallied together to go on a big 5-0 run to give some cushion to make it 23-16, followed up with a big block by Shania Cromartie to set up a 24-16 set point. A serving error by BYU finished off the first set, 25-17.
Set Two: ASU 25, BYU 17
The Sun Devils kicked off the second set by stringing multiple points together to jump out to a 6-2 lead, highlighted by an outstanding kill by Cyr and back-to-back points courtesy of Kjolhede. Arizona State's defense shone as Cromartie and Jeter combined for a block, making it 10-5. Similar to the first set, BYU mounted a comeback with multiple three-point runs, tying up the score at 12-12. Cromartie stepped up huge for the Sun Devils in the second set, scoring three-straight points consisting of two kills and a block. Jeter helped spark a three-point run with a block and kill to push the score to 23-15. The Sun Devils would roll from there, winning the set 25-17.
Set Three: ASU 25, BYU 20
The third set began with a BYU attack error and a few great plays by Kjolhede and Roberta Rabelo, who combined for a block and multiple kills as the Sun Devils jumped out to a 5-2 lead. Cyr and Ung joined in on the action with a kill by each of them to make it 8-4, Ung's off of an overpass. Jeter reached double-digit kills for the fifth match this season after notching two in a row to make it 12-6. Cyr had a service ace to make it 17-11 and Cromartie had another kill to push the score to 19-14. After a well-placed set by Ung to Bailey Miller for the kill, ASU's lead grew to 23-18. Miller stepped up with another kill, making it 24-19 for the set point. A Cougar service error sealed their fate and the Sun Devils took the game in three sets.
Up Next
Arizona State will be back in Desert FInancial Arena on Wednesday to host in-state rival Arizona. Three days later, ASU will hit the road to play at Texas Tech on October 12.
Quotes
Arizona State Head Coach JJ Van Niel
Opening Statement:
"Exciting match, we love being at home. BYU is a great team and they've got a great program year after year, so you always know you're gonna get a good fight. I thought we came out and really put a bunch of pressure on them right away, which was good. We got contributions from everybody, so it was really a nice team win. Our middles won again, they crushed it. Really fun and the crowd was awesome. It was so fun to hear them, everyone was loud and cheering. It makes a big difference to our team, it makes a big difference for our program, and it really gets our young ladies really fired up. 942 Crew once again, loud getting after it. We love it. It was really awesome."
On how the defense at the net and in the back row has changed
"We've definitely practiced more in the blocking defense this year than last year. I do think they take some pride in it and are trying to get better. We're really fortunate that we have some guys that come in and help us out and that they're really physical. You have to try to touch the ball because those guys are hammering them pretty well. I think it's kind of a pride thing, they've really into it. They really want to touch the ball and we have defenders that are flying around. We have Shroll back there just touching everything and Geli back there touching a lot. They both had double digits again (in digs) and that's really helpful because the blocker knows 'Hey, even if I don't, I have some defenders back there to scrap it up', and I think it makes them even more confident. We have to make a move, we've worked a bunch on our alignment and we did some really nice things on it."
On team confidence after back-to-back home wins
"You're always hoping to keep your kids confident and I think one of the cool things about this group is it's a pretty steady, mature group. Obviously we have a lot of veterans. I had a friend and he called me after our TCU match, and we were kind of down a lot during that match at times in a couple of sets. He talked about it because our team never looks up or down. They're just playing. It's really good and I think when you're a coach, you kind of take it for granted. But, they just go out and do their jobs and they fight really, really hard and you never really can tell if we're up or down. I think that's really special and I think that also puts pressure on other teams because they see it. If I'm playing you, I wanna see you get rattled and when you're down, you're just like, 'Ok, I know we're down by four points, but let's go.' So even tonight, we had a big run and then they had a big run. We got stuck in a rotation and then once we flipped the switch, we continued to put pressure on them and it's really fun. I feel really fortunate that I get to coach these guys."
Middle Blocker Savannah Kjolhede
On adjusting to a new team and play style
"We worked really hard in the summer. We had a lot of reps. We had a lot of open gyms and time to work on tempo, work on spacing, all of that. Especially getting Arge and Brynn (Covell) in there, it was really good. From having a setter for three years that I had a connection with and now Arge and I are starting to build it now, which is great and it is working really well. I think JJ has done a great job of getting us the reps and working it out during practice."
On the team's effort and execution:
"It makes every single hitter's job easier. Arge has been doing a really great job of spreading our offense and it makes it really hard for the other side to be like, 'We're only gonna block Geli,' but you can't because Claire is getting 11 kills, and Rob (Roberta Rabelo) is going off and Bailey (Miller) is doing great things. Whenever you have a set that can put balls wherever she wants, it makes it a lot harder to shut down, middles, pins, anything."
On the University of Arizona matchup:
"After not being in the rivalry, it's gonna be really fun to actually see it. You hear so much about it being at ASU and even looking from the outside I'm really excited for it."
Setter Argentina Ung
On home crowd factor
"You can see when we have a big crowd here in DFA the other teams start missing their serves. So that's just a huge home advantage for us. We just love to play here, at Mullett Arena, we love both places. I'm just happy to see the crowd getting involved. Shout out to the 942 crew, they've been awesome."
On defensive efforts
"That's something that fires you up. We were in practice one day and I remember Mary had this play and JJ said, 'Your hustle inspired me.' I think that's one thing that we get from each of our teammates, the hustle. There were a lot of crazy plays out there. Geli was on the floor, Brynn (Covell) was on the floor. Mary was on the floor. Everybody was just hustling and that's something that fires you up. It just makes you wanna play better for your teammates."
On University of Arizona matchup:
"I'm excited. I know the girls get fired up. I can't wait to play. At the end of the day, it's another game. We have to be focused, but it's exciting to be a part of this rivalry."
Notable Stats
- Arizona State (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) beat BYU (9-5, 2-2 Big 12) in straight sets, the first loss for the Cougars this season in a sweep. ASU also remains undefeated at home (5-0).
- This win was the fifth ranked win for JJ Van Niel, second this season (also No. 22 TCU). All of Van Niel's wins over ranked teams have been in straight sets.
- Graduate libero Mary Shroll had her 18th match in a row with double-digit digs, leading all players with 17. She had eight digs in just the first set. Additionally, she had three aces, her third time this season with three aces in a match.
- The game leader in kills was graduate middle blocker Claire Jeter with 11, her fifth match with double-digit kills this year. That also tied her season high in kills. Additionally, she had three blocks.
- With four players with seven or more kills, graduate setter Argentina Ung ran a balanced offense tonight, tallying 31 assists.
- Senior outside hitter Geli Cyr had another well-rounded outing, reaching double-figures in digs with 13 (fifth game in double figures) and earning seven kills as well.
- Graduate middle blocker Savannah Kjolhede had eight kills in another solid outing.
Set One: ASU 25, BYU 17"It's really surreal, being in this gym when I grew up watching ASU volleyball."
— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball) October 5, 2024
Mary Shroll is with @michellachester after @SunDevilVB swept BYU in a top-20 matchup.#NCAAWVB pic.twitter.com/i1L00xmaHG
The Sun Devils started off this closely contested set by exchanging points with the Cougars until ASU rattled off a four-point run, forcing BYU to call a timeout, 7-3. The Sun Devils did not take their foot off of the gas, finishing what they started with another three-point run, capitalized by a Shroll service ace. However, the Cougars fought back with a five-point run of their own and eventually got within one at 11-10 before the Sun Devils had to slow the momentum with a timeout. Jeter ended ASU's scoring drought with a ferocious spike for the kill, 12-11. The Sun Devils rallied together to go on a big 5-0 run to give some cushion to make it 23-16, followed up with a big block by Shania Cromartie to set up a 24-16 set point. A serving error by BYU finished off the first set, 25-17.
Set Two: ASU 25, BYU 17
The Sun Devils kicked off the second set by stringing multiple points together to jump out to a 6-2 lead, highlighted by an outstanding kill by Cyr and back-to-back points courtesy of Kjolhede. Arizona State's defense shone as Cromartie and Jeter combined for a block, making it 10-5. Similar to the first set, BYU mounted a comeback with multiple three-point runs, tying up the score at 12-12. Cromartie stepped up huge for the Sun Devils in the second set, scoring three-straight points consisting of two kills and a block. Jeter helped spark a three-point run with a block and kill to push the score to 23-15. The Sun Devils would roll from there, winning the set 25-17.
S2 | Textbook definition of a MONSTER BLOCK by @CyrAngelique ?????
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) October 5, 2024
???: ESPN+#ForksUp pic.twitter.com/ueFR0Zpl57
Set Three: ASU 25, BYU 20
The third set began with a BYU attack error and a few great plays by Kjolhede and Roberta Rabelo, who combined for a block and multiple kills as the Sun Devils jumped out to a 5-2 lead. Cyr and Ung joined in on the action with a kill by each of them to make it 8-4, Ung's off of an overpass. Jeter reached double-digit kills for the fifth match this season after notching two in a row to make it 12-6. Cyr had a service ace to make it 17-11 and Cromartie had another kill to push the score to 19-14. After a well-placed set by Ung to Bailey Miller for the kill, ASU's lead grew to 23-18. Miller stepped up with another kill, making it 24-19 for the set point. A Cougar service error sealed their fate and the Sun Devils took the game in three sets.
Up Next
Arizona State will be back in Desert FInancial Arena on Wednesday to host in-state rival Arizona. Three days later, ASU will hit the road to play at Texas Tech on October 12.
Quotes
Arizona State Head Coach JJ Van Niel
Opening Statement:
"Exciting match, we love being at home. BYU is a great team and they've got a great program year after year, so you always know you're gonna get a good fight. I thought we came out and really put a bunch of pressure on them right away, which was good. We got contributions from everybody, so it was really a nice team win. Our middles won again, they crushed it. Really fun and the crowd was awesome. It was so fun to hear them, everyone was loud and cheering. It makes a big difference to our team, it makes a big difference for our program, and it really gets our young ladies really fired up. 942 Crew once again, loud getting after it. We love it. It was really awesome."
On how the defense at the net and in the back row has changed
"We've definitely practiced more in the blocking defense this year than last year. I do think they take some pride in it and are trying to get better. We're really fortunate that we have some guys that come in and help us out and that they're really physical. You have to try to touch the ball because those guys are hammering them pretty well. I think it's kind of a pride thing, they've really into it. They really want to touch the ball and we have defenders that are flying around. We have Shroll back there just touching everything and Geli back there touching a lot. They both had double digits again (in digs) and that's really helpful because the blocker knows 'Hey, even if I don't, I have some defenders back there to scrap it up', and I think it makes them even more confident. We have to make a move, we've worked a bunch on our alignment and we did some really nice things on it."
S1 | JAW IS ON THE FLOOR!!!! The most incredible saves you will see ????
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) October 5, 2024
???: ESPN+#ForksUp /// #SCTop10 /// @NCAAVolleyball pic.twitter.com/D0dOQA00Bv
On team confidence after back-to-back home wins
"You're always hoping to keep your kids confident and I think one of the cool things about this group is it's a pretty steady, mature group. Obviously we have a lot of veterans. I had a friend and he called me after our TCU match, and we were kind of down a lot during that match at times in a couple of sets. He talked about it because our team never looks up or down. They're just playing. It's really good and I think when you're a coach, you kind of take it for granted. But, they just go out and do their jobs and they fight really, really hard and you never really can tell if we're up or down. I think that's really special and I think that also puts pressure on other teams because they see it. If I'm playing you, I wanna see you get rattled and when you're down, you're just like, 'Ok, I know we're down by four points, but let's go.' So even tonight, we had a big run and then they had a big run. We got stuck in a rotation and then once we flipped the switch, we continued to put pressure on them and it's really fun. I feel really fortunate that I get to coach these guys."
Middle Blocker Savannah Kjolhede
On adjusting to a new team and play style
"We worked really hard in the summer. We had a lot of reps. We had a lot of open gyms and time to work on tempo, work on spacing, all of that. Especially getting Arge and Brynn (Covell) in there, it was really good. From having a setter for three years that I had a connection with and now Arge and I are starting to build it now, which is great and it is working really well. I think JJ has done a great job of getting us the reps and working it out during practice."
On the team's effort and execution:
"It makes every single hitter's job easier. Arge has been doing a really great job of spreading our offense and it makes it really hard for the other side to be like, 'We're only gonna block Geli,' but you can't because Claire is getting 11 kills, and Rob (Roberta Rabelo) is going off and Bailey (Miller) is doing great things. Whenever you have a set that can put balls wherever she wants, it makes it a lot harder to shut down, middles, pins, anything."
On the University of Arizona matchup:
"After not being in the rivalry, it's gonna be really fun to actually see it. You hear so much about it being at ASU and even looking from the outside I'm really excited for it."
Setter Argentina Ung
On home crowd factor
"You can see when we have a big crowd here in DFA the other teams start missing their serves. So that's just a huge home advantage for us. We just love to play here, at Mullett Arena, we love both places. I'm just happy to see the crowd getting involved. Shout out to the 942 crew, they've been awesome."
On defensive efforts
"That's something that fires you up. We were in practice one day and I remember Mary had this play and JJ said, 'Your hustle inspired me.' I think that's one thing that we get from each of our teammates, the hustle. There were a lot of crazy plays out there. Geli was on the floor, Brynn (Covell) was on the floor. Mary was on the floor. Everybody was just hustling and that's something that fires you up. It just makes you wanna play better for your teammates."
On University of Arizona matchup:
"I'm excited. I know the girls get fired up. I can't wait to play. At the end of the day, it's another game. We have to be focused, but it's exciting to be a part of this rivalry."