FORT WORTH, Texas – In the third rivalry matchup of the year, No. 11 Sun Devil Beach Volleyball swept No. 20 Arizona for a seventh-straight victory against the Cats, closing out the Big 12 Preview on Saturday morning.
Arizona State (13-8) had already swept the season series against Arizona (15-7) before the teams were paired to face each other today. It took three courts going to three sets, but the Sun Devils were able to get the wins across all five courts. This does not affect the Territorial Cup Series.
The Sand Devils finished the weekend 1-2 at the Big 12 Preview. They improved to 7-8 against ranked teams this season following the win over the Wildcats.
Two Sun Devils reached 50 career wins today: juniors Kristin Gilmour and Olivia McElroy. Gilmour reached the mark after she and her partner senior McKenna Flaherty won their match in three sets (21-11, 19-21, 15-13). For McElroy, she and senior Daniella Kensinger also went to three sets, winning 21-15, 17-21, 15-13.
Pairs one and three are the two duos that have played together all season and improved their team-best win totals after their wins today. On court one, redshirt seniors Ava Kirunchyk and Samaya Morin are now 15-7, as are the No. 3 pair of senior Arden Besecker and sophomore Zoë Taylor. The ones swept their match (21-18, 21-19)
The fifth pair to win today was the No. 5 duo of senior Kendall Whitmarsh and sophomore Layla Williams. They won in straight sets, 21-17, 21-17, in their second match played together this season.
Up next
After a month on the road, Arizona State will be back home next weekend, April 3-4, to host the Sparky Invitational.
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