The ASU volleyball team hoped for good results at the Carolina Classic.
Despite a few strong individual showings, the Sun Devils posted another losing tournament record.
ASU (4-5) began their tournament against Southern Georgia (2-6).
The Sun Devils got off to a slow start in the first set. But after some key kills by sophomore outside hitter Ashley Kastl the Sun Devils battled and won a close game 25-22.
The momentum did not stay with the ASU for long. After a second rocky start GSU tied up the match with a 25-19 victory.
However, it was all ASU after that. The Sun Devils won the next two sets and won their first match of the tournament.
The consistent Kastl sparked the offense for the Sun Devils with 22.5 points.
Kastl’s hitting partner, freshman Nora Tuioti-Mariner shined in the victory, chalking up her second double-double of the season with 17 kills and 11 digs.
Sophomore setter Sarah McGaffin helped physilate her teammates by completing 47 assists.
USD sweeps Sun Devils
The 19th-ranked San Diego Toreros (10-0) were the next challenge for ASU.
In the first set the Sun Devils battled and kept the score close. USD would take a nice lead halfway through the set, but they did not keep it for long.
With eight lead changes and 14 ties, the set came down to the final points. Led by junior outside hitter Amber Tatsch and junior outside hitter Carrie Baird, the Toreros won the set in the closing points, 25-23.
It was the same story in the second set as the Toreros jumped out to a nice start, and held a 19-16 lead. Yet again the Sun Devils battled back, and made it a close game for the last points. USD won another close game 25-20 after a late offensive run.
Junior middle blocker Erica Wilson stepped it up for ASU in the tough match, scoring 12 kills. It was not enough for the Sun Devils, however as USD won the third set and swept ASU.
ASU closes with loss to UNC
ASU faced off against host North Carolina (6-2) in the last match of the tournament.
In the opening serves of the first match it seemed to be anyone’s game. Then the Tar Heels’ offense exploded and, and UNC pulled away winning 25-15.
In the second set, the UNC’s defense proved to be the deciding factor. The Tar Heels’ counterattack held the Sun Devils to just eight kills for the whole match. UNC led the entire set winning 25-10.
But the Sun Devils were not going home without a fight.
The Tar Heels came out strong in the third set. ASU fought hard, tying the score six times, but UNC proved to be too much for ASU and finished the sweep, winning a close game 25-20.
Sophomore outside hitter Danica Mendivil ended a tournament strong again with 12 kills in the last match.
The Sun Devils come home to prepare for Pac-12 conference play, which begins next Friday against Oregon State.
Reach the reporter at edmund.hubbard@asu.edu
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