It’s time to return to the familiar.
The ASU volleyball team (4-5) is finished with non-conference play and now moves on to the Pac-12. Their first challenge comes this weekend when the team travels to face off against Oregon State (8-2) and 16th-ranked Oregon (7-1).
ASU coach Jason Watson said there are advantages to playing against a familiar enemy.
“We know where we are going and we have been those gyms before,” Watson said. “The routine is very well established, so I think that’s comforting.”
After a couple of rough non-conference tournaments, the Sun Devils are looking to improve in Pac-12 play.
Redshirt sophomore Caitlyn Murphy said starting off Pac-12 competition on a good note is key.
“Since we just finished preseason, it’s the start-up of the (Pac-12) season,” Murphy said. “I think it’s important to make our presence in the Pac-12 and show who we are as Arizona State.”
Every match is a battle in conference play and the Sun Devils’ first two conference opponents will provide intense competition.
ASU first travels to Corvallis, Ore. on Friday to challenge the Oregon State Beavers. OSU is coming off of a six game winning streak. During their streak they upset then-no. 22 Long Beach State.
Junior outside hitter Camille Saxton leads the Beavers offensively. Saxton has 140 kills and 164 totals points on the year and had 22 kills in the Beavers upset of Long Beach State.
Freshman middle blocker Arica Nassar will be protecting against ASU’s offensive attack. She leads the team with 49 total blocks.
ASU will then head south to Eugene, Ore. to compete against the Oregon Ducks.
The Ducks also had a successful preseason. They also swept their last tournament and only suffered one loss early in the year against Minnesota.
Sophomore setter Sarah McGaffin said the team made sure to focus on the Ducks during practices this week.
“Oregon is a really good team,” McGaffin said. “So we’re watching film and preparing really hard to beat them.”
Redshirt junior outside hitter Alaina Bergsma has been doing most of the scoring for the Ducks this year. She leads the team with 123 kills and has a .282 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Lauren Plum who has 312 assists this year usually sets up Bergsma.
“Both schools are playing really nice volleyball,” Watson said. “Oregon State beat Long Beach State who was ranked and Oregon has done a nice job so it’s a challenge to go up there, but we know what we’re in for.”
The Sun Devils’ top outside hitters are sophomore Ashley Kastl, sophomore Danica Mendivil and freshman Nora Tuioti-Mariner.
Between the three of them they have 256 kills on the year. Watson believes those numbers could be better, and challenged them increase offensive production in practice this week.
“We got to get some production out of our left sides,” Watson said. “That’s been a big focus this week to see if we can get a little better at it.”
Murphy said the focus going into the weekend was to stay calm, even if they find themselves behind.
“Say we don’t have the momentum at a certain point in the game,” Murphy said. “We’re not going to freak out. We are going to stay relaxed, take a deep breath and play our game.”
Reach the reporter at ehubbard@asu.edu
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