Two days, three games. The ASU volleyball team will start the regular season quickly on the road against Northeastern, New Mexico State and Air Force.
“We’re eager to get out on the court and play against a different team,” senior setter Bianca Arellano said.
Arellano said the players are learning each other’s tendencies and play styles.
The play styles of the upcoming opponents are somewhat foreign, coach Jason Watson said.
“We don’t know much about Northeastern,” he said. “We don’t know much about anybody until you play your first ones, (there’s) no film.”
The newly-named Blue Lobsters finished 10-20 last season. The team is led by sophomore outside hitter Brigitte Burcescu, who had 400 kills last season. This was almost twice as many as the player with the second-most, junior setter Jamie Bredahl (219).
Watson said a large concern for the weekend was getting this first game out of the way and seeing how each team, including his own, plays.
Watson called New Mexico State a “significant opponent” and that it’s hoping to get into the postseason. Last year, the Aggies were 17-11. They did not get into the Round of 64.
“That is a match that has me concerned,” he said. “There’s a bit of familiarity with the team.”
One of New Mexico State’s strengths is in the middle. Senior middle blocker Gwen Murphy accumulated 114 blocks last season, more than anyone on ASU. Additionally, Watson said an outside hitter is “going to be a pain.”
Senior Bradley Nash had 233 kills last season. Watson said she hits with range and can move the ball around. That caused him to attempt to recruit the Arizona native before she committed to New Mexico State.
Air Force has two Arizona natives on its team. Watson said he didn’t know much about the team, but he does know that its head coach, Matt McShane, has had success.
Before accepting the position at Air Force in 2010, McShane was the assistant coach at Cal, which made a Final Four appearance in 2009.
Before taking over Air Force, the Falcons had lost 66 consecutive matches to teams in the Mountain West conference. Though the team has not had a winning record since he took over, they’ve been more successful. Air Force won three in-conference games in 2012, five in 2013 and seven last season en route to a 13-19 record.
“He’s phenomenal,” Watson said.
Despite the three-game weekend, Watson said he isn’t preparing subs and is trying not to predict outcomes. While players will get tired, he said that sticking with predetermined plans often “gets you into all kinds of trouble.”
Senior outside hitter Macey Gardner said she wasn’t worried about fatigue. She thinks her teammates will be fine, and is looking a little forward in the schedule.
“I think this weekend is just going to be a good barometer for what we can work on next week in practice and what we can carry into the season,” she said.
Related Links:
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