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Volleyball: ASU to face powers Stanford, Cal

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Sun Devils libero Courtney Blocher digs for the ball during a match against UA in Wells Fargo Arena last Friday. ASU won the match 3-2.

The upcoming weekend for ASU volleyball closely resembles a David vs. Goliath battle, except the Sun Devils will be attacking with their jump serve rather than the conventional sling.

Today and Friday, ASU takes on No. 4 Stanford and No. 9 California. This home stand starts a stretch in Pac-10 play in which the team will take on four straight teams ranked in the national top 10.

"We have a chance to prove up against some of the best teams in America," head coach Brad Saindon said. "It's interesting and exciting to measure yourself against those teams that we're going to be playing the next two weeks."

The Sun Devils are full of confidence and might have enough momentum on their side. Last week, against then-ranked rival Arizona, ASU stormed back from an early deficit to pull off the come-from-behind victory.

"[The win] was immeasurably important, probably bigger than any of us could fathom," Saindon said. "Had we lost that match, clearly it would have affected our morale and confidence."

Stanford, which lost in last year's NCAA championship match to USC, brings a four-match winning streak into Tempe today. The Cardinals are led by Ogonna Nnamani, a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American junior outside hitter who leads the team with 5.55 kills per game. Nnamani is comparable to Kim Glass, the UA outsider hitter who recorded 31 kills last Friday.

"She's a huge jumper and just rips the ball," Saindon said. "She's going to be all we can handle."

California, undefeated in 12 matches this year, features All-American outside hitter Mia Jerkov. The 6-foot-3 junior from Croatia leads the Pac-10 in kills per game (6.15) and points per game (6.87).

"Cal is bigger than we are and maybe a little more physical," Saindon said. "It's going to be our speed against their size. If we play well, it's going to be a very, very close battle."

Reach the reporter jeffrey.hoodzow@asu.edu.


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