For the first time this season, the ASU volleyball team will hit the court on a weekday, as the Sun Devils travel to Flagstaff to take on the NAU Lumberjacks tonight at 7.
The match will give the team a break from a grueling Pac-10 schedule in which it has played five nationally ranked teams in less than a month.
The visit will be the first time the Sun Devils (8-8, 3-5) have faced off against NAU since 2001 and the first time they have played in Flagstaff since 1999.
"It's kind of different for us, playing in the middle of the week," freshman outside hitter Kristin Trayser said. "It's usually practice time and down time, but it will be a good opportunity to see teams outside the Pac-10 for once."
The Lumberjacks have struggled so far this year, posting just a 4-13 record, including losses to Idaho State and Weber State Friday and Saturday respectively. However, the Lumberjacks have generally been tough opponents, taking two games from ASU in 2001 and winning the 1999 contest in five games in Flagstaff.
"I'm a big believer that you should play your state rivals," ASU coach Brad Saindon said. "I know NAU is going to be pretty excited to have us playing in their home gym and maybe it's their big match of the year, so we are going to have to be good."
A weekday match is completely new for all of the Sun Devils involved, as none have ever been involved in one during their time at ASU.
"I'm not really sure what to think," junior outside hitter Sarah Watkins said. "I've never played in a weekday game since I've been here, so it'll be a new experience for all of us and it will be interesting to see how it goes."
The Sun Devils have won three of their past four matches, moving them from last into a sixth-place tie in the Pac-10 conference. A win over the Lumberjacks would give the team a winning record for the first time since Sept. 23, as well as match their entire win total from last season when they went 9-18.
ASU will follow up the NAU contest by traveling to Tucson for another intrastate matchup when it faces No. 23 UA on Friday. The Wildcats are 11-7 overall but have the same conference record as ASU -- 3-5.
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.
