Everyone has someone to look up to.
After most home games, the ASU volleyball team sits down at a desk and signs autographs for fans. Most of the fans that come visit the Sun Devils are local youth volleyball players in Arizona.
These young women look up to the ASU volleyball team as inspirations.
Freshman setter Shannan McCready talked about being a role model for the young players.
“It’s an honor when they come to our games and support us,” McCready said. “Afterwards when they come and ask us for our autographs it’s like they are doing us a favor. I love it.”
McCready progressing
McCready came in halfway through the game against UCLA last Friday. Her energy created a spark and she started the match against USC.
McCready has not been on the court much this season, but she has racked up 14 assists.
Coach Jason Watson said that he was impressed with how McCready plays.
“We’ve been talking to her about grabbing hold of these opportunities, competing and forgetting the fact that you’re a freshman,” Watson said. “She really took some ownership of that position.”
Watson said that she had been working well with some the ASU attackers, especially with junior middle blocker Erica Wilson.
Teslevich takes time
Sophomore libero Jenny Teslevich also had some playing time Saturday against USC.
She contributed to the ASU defense with 12 digs in the back row.
But Teslevich’s interesting pre-serve routine helped set up the ASU offense.
Before each serve, she takes her time to set up. She usually bounces the ball off the court six or eight times.
Watson said that her strategy keeps the opponent out of sync which sets up the ASU attack.
“You get back there and you’re waiting for this ball to serve and you get a little uncomfortable,” Watson said. “(You think to yourself), ‘Is she going to serve it or what is she going to do back there?’”
In the USC match, Teslevich tricked the Trojans. They were used to her long setup, and on one possession she served right away and got an ace.
Watson said they were going to continue using Teslevich’s routine to create scoring opportunities.
Present play
After the USC match Watson said that the team played the best when they were focused on the play that they are in.
That message has carried over into practice this week. Sophomore libero Stephanie Preach said that the team took that message to heart in the drills that they ran in practice Tuesday.
“I said a few times on my side, ‘Focus on this play, this pass,’” Preach said. “I think it’s definitely going to be a re-occurring theme in our gym for the rest of the season.”
Kastl vs. Wilson
During practice Watson paired up two different rotations to scrimmage against each other.
By chance, the scrimmage featured ASU veteran leaders redshirt outside hitter Ashley Kastl and junior middle blocker Erica Wilson facing off.
Both front line players were attacking and trying to block each other.
Watson said that he was looking to get some reps for the outside hitters. Kastl going up against Wilson should improve both of their skills.
“We’re trying to get some range out of the outside hitters,” Watson said. “It was kind of fun to watch the roommates going at each other.”
Injury Report
After injuring her hand during practice, redshirt freshman libero Katie Fontes has been cleared to play. She participated fully in drills and in the team scrimmage.
Redshirt freshman middle blocker Julia Katolik had to get knee surgery recently. She is sidelined for games and practices indefinitely. Watson is hopeful that she can return in four weeks.
Reach the reporter at edmund.hubbard@asu.edu
Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
