After upsetting No. 10 UCLA and No. 6 Southern California at home earlier this season, the ASU volleyball team now faces the daunting task of repeating its success against two of collegiate volleyball’s strongest teams; this time on the road.
The Sun Devils (11-14, 5-7 Pac-10) face a pair of top ten teams with similar success, yet different styles of play.
First up for ASU are the Bruins (17-7, 7-6 Pac-10), a team with a consistent attack, in a premier Friday night matchup at the Wooden Center. The Sun Devils will then square off against a physical Trojans squad (20-4, 9-4) Saturday night in the Galen Center.
The Sun Devils are well aware that competing on the road in Los Angeles is not an easy endeavor.
“You’re going into an environment that has an enormous amount of traditions,” ASU coach Jason Watson said. “You’re going in against teams that play volleyball extremely well. You’ve got to overcome a lot.”
ASU has struggled mightily when playing in Westwood, with a 1-32 all time record there. The Sun Devils’ only victory on UCLA’s home court came in 1995.
Since then, the Bruins at home have dominated ASU with a 14-match winning streak.
The Bruins return home after a difficult trip to the Bay Area where they suffered 1-3 and 2-3 losses to No. 2 Stanford and No. 4 California.
The UCLA offense continues to be led by senior outside hitter Dicey McGraw. McGraw tallied a career-high of 24 kills against Cal.
“Their outsides are consistent,” senior outside hitter Sarah Reaves said. “So it’s a matter of us as blockers and defense being on task. As far as their middles, I don’t remember too much that got us out of system. They’re more of a consistent team than huge, powerful threats.”
In the starting mix to help the Sun Devils combat the Bruins’ consistency will be sophomore middle blocker Alexis Pinson.
“She’s certainly warranted that inclusion,” Watson said. “Alexis in the last two competitions, and all season, has worked hard to put herself in that position, and should get some reward for that.”
After their bout in Westwood, the Sun Devils will face a Women of Troy team that recently split the Cal-Stanford series by upsetting Cal 3-1.
USC offers a plethora of talent at the outside hitter position with junior Alex Jupiter, and freshman Falyn Fonoimoana.
Jupiter earned All-American honors in 2009 and has not slowed down in 2010, with 368 kills and 12 double-doubles.
“Both of their outside hitters are really physical players,” Watson said. “The challenge for us is to create some opportunities and see if we can work hard in transition. Last time we were patient and we were creating some opportunities and were fortunate enough to turn them.”
To overcome the challenges of competing on the road, Watson and the Sun Devils believe they will have to play well for an extended period of time.
“We’ve got to be better over time,” Watson said. “Especially the last two conference matches that have gone five, that’s been a difference. When it came right down to it, our opponents were just a little bit better than us over time, not great, but the outcome of matches is not determined by one great play. It’s a series of good plays.”
Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu
