The ASU volleyball team steamrolled the opposition over the weekend, going 3-0 and winning the ASU Sheraton Classic in dominating fashion.

The Sun Devils lost only one set in three matches against Charleston Southern, UTEP and Idaho State. They won by at least nine points in eight of the sets and outscored their opponents 240-155.

Sophomore outside hitter Sofie Schalgintweit was named the MVP of the tournament, racking up 41 kills and five service aces over the three matches.

Additionally, senior middle blocker Paige Mittelstaedt and junior outside hitter Sarah Reaves were named to the All-Tournament team.

Reaves recorded 45 kills and Mittelstaedt recorded 11 blocks over the three matches, which were each team highs for the weekend.

ASU (5-1) started off the tournament by beating Charleston Southern 3-1 (25-11, 15-25, 25-11, 25-13) on Friday afternoon.

Sophomore setter Katie Crosby recorded a season-high 59 assists, while Schlagintweit, Reaves and sophomore middle blocker Sonja Markanovich each recorded double-digit kills.

After winning the first set easily, the Sun Devils came out flat during the second set, resulting in their only set loss of the weekend.

ASU coach Jason Watson didn’t need to tell the players much after that second set.

“We all knew what we were supposed to do,” Schlagintweit said. “He just said to go out there and take chances and rip on balls.”

The team took the message personally, as its kill percentage rose from .097 in game two to .654 in game three, and the Sun Devils outscored Charleston Southern 50-24 the rest of the way.

The second match saw the Sun Devils defeat the UTEP 3-0 (25-23, 25-14, 25-10).

The first set was back-and-forth, as neither team led by more than three points at any given time.

Trailing 21-18, Watson called a timeout, and once again, the players took it upon themselves to improve their play.

“They knew we had to play better,” Watson said. “They had the resolve to do it, and we [as a coaching staff] didn’t have to say much.”

ASU came out of the timeout reenergized and outscored UTEP 7-2 after the timeout was called to put the first set in the books.

The team then proceeded to outscore the Miners 50-24 the rest of the way.

Mittelstaedt played her best game of the weekend, recording 10 kills and five blocks and acting as a leader for the team on the court.

“I just really like how [Mittelstaedt] talks to our team,” Watson said.
“I really how she gets excited and the intensity she brings. The last two weekends now, Paige has done a really nice job.”

The Sun Devils finished off the tournament by defeating Idaho State 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-16).

This time, it was Reaves who took charge for the Sun Devils, notching 16 kills and two service aces.

Though the Sun Devils won the ASU Sheraton Classic last year as well, Watson said this year’s version of the team played much better.

“I think the mean level of performance was significantly higher than it was last year,” Watson said. “I think we have a lot more depth, so it creates more options than what we had last year.”

Reach the reporter at kyle.glaser@asu.edu.