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ASU volleyball hosts Cal, Stanford for weekend series

Senior outside hitter Erica Wilson (10) moves into position during a game at the ASU Sheraton Invitational on Sept. 14. (Photo by Kyle Newman)
Senior outside hitter Erica Wilson (10) moves into position during a game at the ASU Sheraton Invitational on Sept. 14. (Photo by Kyle Newman)

Senior outside hitter Erica Wilson (10) moves into position during a game at the ASU Sheraton Invitational on Sept. 14. (Photo by Kyle Newman)

The ASU women’s volleyball team continues on its tough journey through the Pac-12 schedule, as it welcomes Cal and No. 7 Stanford this weekend.

This will be the first true weekend series at home for the Sun Devils (12-3, 1-1 Pac-12), a new format of games that the freshman girls must be familiar with.

“It’s really nice to do that here first, getting used to the whole concept of two games a weekend,” freshman outside hitter Whitney Follette said. “When we get on the road and have to do that, it will be easier because we’ve done it before. We’re just in a different place.”

The Golden Bears (7-5, 1-1 Pac-12) enter the game after defeating Colorado on the road last weekend. The Cardinal’s two victories this season have come against rival-Cal and Utah. Stanford (10-2, 2-0 Pac-12) will face UA on Friday before coming to Tempe.

Last season, ASU had a lot of trouble in dealing with both Cal and Stanford’s high-powered teams. When ASU faced off against Cal last season, the Golden Bears were ranked second and fourth, respectively. Cal won both games, winning by the scores of 3-0 and 3-1. The Golden Bears currently sit outside the top 25 for the first time since 2002. Cal has been plagued with injuries this season, with the toughest blow being to senior libero Robin Rostratter, who suffered a groin injury and has been unable to play this year.

Freshman defensive specialist Mary McKennon has filled the role nicely as her 3.61 digs per set are good for ninth in the Pac-12.

Stanford on the other hand, has been a much tougher opponent for ASU over the years. The Sun Devils have not defeated the Cardinal since Sept. 20, 2000, when ASU won the game 3-1 over Stanford. Stanford leads the all-time series 59-5.

The Cardinal is having another stellar year so far. Stanford is performing at an elite level in all aspects of the game, ranking in the conference’s top five in digs (first), assists (third), kills (third), blocks (fourth) and hitting percentage (fourth).

Just like ASU, Stanford has received large contributions from their freshman class, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation by prepvolleyball.com. Freshman middle blocker Inky Ajanaku ranks third in the Pac-12 in hitting percentage (.410), and freshman setter Madi Bugg ranks sixth in the Pac-12 in assists per set (9.95).

“I have yet to beat Stanford as a player. And so just being able to check another team off my list would just be huge, it would be monumental,” junior middle blocker Alexis Pinson said.

Pinson has stepped up for the Sun Devils this season as she leads the team in blocks per set with 1.16.

ASU continues to receive outstanding performances from freshman Macey Gardner and senior Erica Wilson. The duo have combined for over 500 kills on the season, and both rank in the top 5 in the Pac-12 in kills at first (4.84) and fifth (4.31), respectively.

“Our transition is going to be important,” coach Jason Watson said. “If we get opportunities to turn balls in transition, we’ve got to make sure we take care of it. Against Washington State, we left all these points on the floor because we weren’t working hard in transition.”

 

Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu


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