The ASU volleyball team has momentum. The question is, how to keep it rolling.
Last weekend the Sun Devils beat a strong Oregon State team. Now they face the challenge of Colorado and Utah in Tempe.
Sophomore outside hitter Danica Mendivil said that the team’s morale is up after the win and they feel confident going into the weekend.
“I think we have found our rhythm,” Mendivil said. “Everyone is excited even though it is close to the end of the season. We are already rolling and ready to keep going and show what we can do as a team.”
ASU takes on CU in their first match this Friday. The last time these two teams played the Sun Devils beat the Buffaloes in three straight sets.
The Sun Devils are looking to continue their current win streak against CU. The Buffaloes have yet to win a match in the Pac-12 this year.
Coach Jason Watson said that CU has improved a lot since they played them last and his team is not looking past them.
“Colorado is playing better than they were,” Watson said. “I don’t think that we can take it for granted. What happened then happened then and this is now.”
The last time the Sun Devils played the Buffaloes, junior outside hitter Erica Wilson had a strong performance with 15 kills.
ASU has focused on getting the middle blockers involved offensively lately. Wilson had 11 kills in last weekend’s win against OSU. Look for her to have another strong performance.
Saturday the Utah Utes come to Tempe to face off against the Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils were confident heading into their match against the Utes the last time they played. But Nora Tuioti-Mariner said that they underestimated Utah and that hurt them in the end.
“We can’t underestimate our opponents,” Tuioti-Mariner said. “Lately we’ve been doing that and we’ve been caught on our heels. We always got be on our toes ready to pounce.”
Watson said the team needs to be more patient offensively this weekend to beat the Utes. Utah is very good at defending and setting up a block.
The Utes run a different style of offense that ASU does not see a lot in the Pac-12. Unlike most teams, Utah has two setters instead of just one.
ASU reworked their defense in practice this week to combat the interesting offense. Their experience from their last game should help them in this weekend’s matchup.
For the first time this season, the Sun Devils will have to back-to-back home weekends.
Mendivil said it is nice to be home for a long time. She said the team is more comfortable at home and having extra practices gives the team an advantage.
Tuioti-Mariner said it is exciting to play in front of the home crowd two weekends in a row.
“It’ better because you have everyone in the house supporting you,” Tuioti-Mariner said. “When you see the little kids, it motivates you to do better and put on a show for them.”
The team has obvious goals heading into the weekend and Tuioti-Mariner put it quite simply.
“Smash the Utah Utes and the Colorado Buffaloes,” Tuioti-Mariner said.
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