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Women's volleyball sweeps competition in El Paso

Senior middle blocker Erica Wilson (10) jumps to spike the ball in a game against Oregon State last year. The Sun Devils won their first three games at the El Paso Sports Commission Invitational last weekend, their best start since 2006.  (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)
Senior middle blocker Erica Wilson (10) jumps to spike the ball in a game against Oregon State last year. The Sun Devils won their first three games at the El Paso Sports Commission Invitational last weekend, their best start since 2006. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

Senior middle blocker Erica Wilson (10) jumps to spike the ball in a game against Oregon State last year. The Sun Devils won their first three games at the El Paso Sports Commission Invitational last weekend, their best start since 2006. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)

The ASU women’s volleyball team got off to its best start since 2006 with a three-game sweep this weekend in El Paso, Texas.

The Sun Devils won all three of their games in the El Paso Sports Commission Invitational against Idaho State, Fresno State and UTEP.

It’s a start that the team needed to bounce back from the disappointing season it had last year.

Friday night featured the Sun Devils against an Idaho State team they last faced in 2009, when ASU swept the Bengals in three straight sets. The Sun Devils faced adversity early as they dropped the first set to Idaho State 20-25. ASU would win the second set 25-17 before dropping the third set 22-25.

The fourth set was crucial for the Sun Devils as they fought to stay alive and eventually overcame the Bengals by winning 29-27. Two big errors in the fifth set by Idaho State gave way to a Sun Devil victory by a score of 16-14.

“We showed an enormous amount of character, especially in game four,” coach Jason Watson said.

The Sun Devils nabbed the victory with the help of three freshmen who started for the Sun Devils in all five sets against Idaho State. Outside hitter Whitney Follette, outside hitter Macey Gardner and setter Allison Palmer got the nod in the first game of the season and met their expectations.

“They learned a lot tonight and more importantly, they learned to win,” Watson said.

The Sun Devils got back on the court Saturday morning, as they faced Fresno State in a game that end much quicker than the night before.

After fighting back in the first set to tie the game at 20-20, ASU jumped out in front and won the set 25-22. Quick work was made by the Sun Devils in the second set as they rolled to a 25-11 win, thanks in part to senior middle blocker Erica Wilson who held her serve for eight straight points, allowing the Sun Devils to jump to an early 13-3 lead.

ASU closed the door on Fresno State in the third set winning 25-19; earning a sweep against the Bulldogs.

The second game of the doubleheader came against host UTEP on Saturday night. Throughout the entire game, the Miners consistently challenged the Sun Devils. The first set was tough on the Sun Devils, as the team got out to a 23-21 lead before UTEP rallied to claim the first set 25-23.

ASU showed tremendous character in the second set as they fought back from a 14-20 deficit to win 25-23 and even the series at 1-1. Six straight kills by Wilson helped spark the rally in the second set. The Sun Devils blew a comfortable 23-18 lead as the Miners earned six straight points to claim a 24-23 lead. ASU capitalized on a UTEP serving error and held off the Miners for a 26-24 victory.

After rolling comfortably through most of the set, the Sun Devils nearly gave up another lead when UTEP scored five straight points to cut the lead to three. ASU then scored the final point to win the set 25-21 and the series 3-1.

“I thought we played well; I thought we played composed,” Watson said. “We handled adversity well and every match we played, we got a little bit better.”

Gardner and junior libero Stephanie Preach were named to the All-Tournament team, while Wilson earned the Tournament Most Valuable Player award.

 

Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu


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