Volleyballs soaring over the net, players shouting encouragement and ASU coach Jason Watson instructing his team are all sights and sounds of an ASU volleyball practice.
The Sun Devils (4-5) have realized their capabilities throughout the weekday practices. However, ASU continues to face the challenge of translating its strong play in practice into each weekend match.
ASU heads into its final non-conference tournament with one clear goal: Bring the intensity to the game.
“I think what we want to translate from practice into our games is our intensity, and playing at the level that we do in practice,” junior middle Sonja Markanovich said. “In games, that means coming out on a good start, on a good note, and competing at a higher level, instead of coming out sluggish and having to work back.”
With three challenging match-ups, the ASU Sheraton Tournament could prove to be the toughest weekend yet for ASU.
While the Sun Devils may not possess the physical strengths their opponents hold, they are confident in what they bring to the court.
“What we need to be able to do is just be a really good volleyball team and play good volleyball for a long period of time,” ASU coach Jason Watson said. “If you can do that then you can take your chances with these physical teams.”
No. 21 Michigan strolls into Tempe with senior setter Lexi Zimmerman leading the way for the Wolverines.
ASU will be forced to combat Michigan’s physical presence with its own type of volleyball.
“Michigan is more physical than we are,” Markanovich said. “However, I think we play a higher level of volleyball. I think we will be able to compete with them even though they outsize us. If we play as a team and stick together, I think we’ll do well.”
Saturday afternoon’s match-up comes against Pacific. The Tigers (6-2) are a team that continues to receive national recognition. Pacific garnered nine votes in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 poll.
“We have to expect them to come out fighting, and we have to match their intensity and play at their level,” Markanovich said. “We can’t take them lightly. We have to come out playing our game and playing well over a long period of time.”
ASU concludes the tournament against Utah in a Saturday night showdown.
“Utah has traditionally been a really nice team,” Watson said. “They’re a little younger. They have this really nice freshman outside hitter in [Morgan] Odale.”
Each opponent figures to bring intensity and competition on their side of the net; it’s up the Sun Devils to match it with their own.
“This week the intensity is going to be a lot higher,” junior outside hitter Malia Marquardt said. “As we get in the gym we are going to work on being ourselves and competing at a high level the whole game.”
Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu
