TEMPE – Wrapping up the home slate, No. 12 Sun Devil Beach Volleyball won both of its duals on senior day on Saturday, sweeping FIU and taking down No. 15 Stetson, 4-1.
After honoring the seven seniors on the squad, Arizona State (15-9) swept FIU, with four of the five courts being straight sweeps. Arizona State then had a quick turnaround, squaring off against No. 15 Stetson. That dual was tied at one after the first wave, but the Sand Devils were able to win every remaining match and win the dual 4-1.
All of the seniors had a chance to shine on Saturday. On the top court, redshirt seniors Ava Kirunchyk and Samaya Morin won both matches today, improving their team-best pairs record to 18-6. Kirunchyk’s 19 individual wins on the year leads the team. Seniors Arden Besecker and McKenna Flaherty won both of their matches as well, Besecker playing with two different Sun Devils and Flaherty pairing with junior Kristin Gilmour. Besecker and Flaherty both have 18 wins this year. Reagan Hope and Kendall Whitmarsh won each match today, pairing together against Stetson. Lastly, Daniella Kensinger won her match against FIU.
With the sweep over FIU, the Sand Devils now have 11 sweeps on the season. This is the most Arizona State has had in any season. Yesterday’s sweep over Ottawa broke the previous record of nine, set in 2019 and matched in 2025. Additionally, ASU improved to 8-9 against ranked teams this season. Head coach Kristen Glattfelder has 26 ranked wins now.
A few pairs are on winning streaks. Flaherty and Gilmour have won four in a row, as have the top duo of Kirunchyk and Morin.
Game one: No. 12 ASU 5, FIU 0 /// Final box
The Sand Devils swept the Panthers (8-12), with Kirunchyk securing her 50th career win in her match. Gilmour and Flaherty won in three sets, while every other duo won their match in straight sets. Hope and sophomore Layla Williams put ASU back in the win column as the clinching match.
Game two: No. 12 ASU 4, No. 15 Stetson 1 /// Final box
Arizona State took down another ranked opponent in Stetson (20-6), winning 4-1. After splitting the first wave, with the twos dropping their match and the fours winning in three, the Sand Devils rebounded to win every match in the second wave. Hope and Whitmarsh swept their match on court five, while Morin and Kirunchyk pulled out the three-set victory to clinch the win for ASU. Besecker and sophomore Zoë Taylor won in three to put the finishing touches on the win. This pair rebounded from their three-set loss yesterday, beating the No. 3 pair from Stetson in three to help the Sand Devils secure the victory.
Record book watch
In the individual career wins record book, Kensinger moved into a tie for eighth with 55 wins while at ASU. Right behind her are Besecker (54) in 10th and Kirunchyk (51) in 11th.
For career wins as a pair, Kirunchyk and Morin are 26-11, which is the fourth-best win toatl in team history.
Up next
The Sand Devils will compete in the COE Challenge in San Luis Obispo. ASU will face Cal, host Cal Poly SLO and UCLA.
Quotes
Head Coach Kristin Glattfelder
Opening statement
“For the seniors, it's hard to have all the senior day activities, and then come out and try to separate emotions and be ready to play. And they did that really well from the get go. I was just proud of the fight we had. We had some different lineups for both duals, and whoever was in came in and played really hard, and I think they played really hard for our seniors. I want the seniors to know how much they've paved the way for this program, and how they're always going to be remembered. And with everything they've put in, the daily grind, the strength and conditioning, the practices, it's not easy being a student-athlete. So just proud of the work that they put in, and also super proud of our response after yesterday.”
On motivating the team during tough matches
“Regardless of what the score is, just really trying to be in the moment and compartmentalizing the game and thinking about one thing at a time. I think that's when we struggle, when we get too ahead of ourselves, or we're not focused on doing one thing at a time. And then just reminding them to have fun. It's beach volleyball. We're out here with all their friends and family, a beautiful day in Arizona, and just reminding them to have a good time and play hard and control the controllable, working hard being a teammate.”
On winning multiple matches in three sets
"The fours, they played back to back, which usually doesn't happen. Usually you get an hour rest. So I'm sure there was a little bit of fatigue, but they turned it on and came back with a vengeance in the third set. And I think it's just having the confidence knowing that they can do it regardless. That's why we have three sets. You might have a set that doesn't quite go your way, or maybe you're making some errors, but to be able to turn it around and win that, especially in the fashion that they did, was impressive.”
Senior Ava Kirunchyk
On earning her 50th career win
“It's really exciting because I obviously redshirted my first year. So I think just being able to hit a milestone like that didn't seem possible, or something that was even in my reach in the beginning of my career. So I'm really glad I got there.”
Senior Reagan Hope
On finishing out her last home game in Tempe with a win
“I think for me, volleyball is so up and down. It's a game you can be playing super well, you cannot be playing well. So to end on a high note, it really just sets the tone and just ends on a good note.”
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