SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – On the first day of the COE Challenge on Friday, No. 13 Sun Devil Beach Volleyball fell to two top-10 teams, first to No. 9 Cal and then to the host team No. 6 Cal Poly, both by the same 4-1 score.
Arizona State (16-11) is now 8-11 against ranked teams. Redshirt senior Ava Kirunchyk improved to 20-7 individually after earning a win in the dual against the Bears. That is the most wins on the team and is tied for the 12th most in program history.
Game one: No. 9 Cal 4, No. 13 ASU 1 /// Final Box
It was a close dual against the Bears (19-7) despite the 4-1 score. The middle three courts all went to a third set, with the Sun Devils winning on court two. On that court were Kirunchyk and junior Olivia McElroy. After that win, ASU had a chance, down 2-1 in the dual with the remaining two courts in a third set. However, Cal was able to win both of those to take the dual, 4-1.
Game two: No. 6 Cal Poly 4, No. 13 ASU 1 /// Final Box
It was all Mustangs (22-5) in the second dual of the day for the Sand Devils. Cal Poly swept the top four courts and won the first set on court five. However, sophomores Zoe Taylor and Layla Williams came back to win the second set (21-13) and the third set (15-10).
Up next
The second and final day of the COE Challenge is on Saturday. Arizona State will play No. 2 UCLA at 10:45 a.m. MST. The second dual will be a team from the other pool at the tournament, determined by results.
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