Never an easy weekend in the Pac-12, the ASU volleyball team suffered more setbacks as they dropped both contests over the weekend.
The Sun Devils (10-8, 2-6 Pac-12) lost both of their games this weekend on the road in Colorado and Utah. The two losses mean ASU’s losing streak is now extended to five straight games, and the team still remains winless against Pac-12 teams on the road this season (0-5).
ASU had a great opportunity to capture its first Pac-12 road win of the season on Friday, but faltered in five sets against Colorado .
It appeared that the Sun Devils were going to notch the first win when they took the first two sets from the Buffaloes (13-6, 3-4 Pac-12) both by the score of 25-17. The team used solid scoring sprees to build its leads in the two games and looked strong heading into the break.
Colorado clicked offensively after the break, hitting at an average of .344 per set for the final three sets. The Buffaloes hit -.029 and .071 in the first and second set, respectively.
The Sun Devils were bothered by the Buffaloes’ blockers in the third set, as Colorado tallied five blocks in the set alone causing ASU to hit at a match low for hitting percentage with .000.
Even amid the low-percentage hitting day for ASU, freshman outside hitter Whitney Follette set her personal-high for kills in a match with 11 kills against Colorado on a .364 hitting percentage. Junior libero Stephanie Preach moved to No. 9 all-time in career digs at ASU with 1,200 after accumulating 23 in the match.
Sun Devils fall in Utah
Sunday marked the end of the road trip for the Sun Devils when they took on Utah in a matinee game.
ASU came out the gates strong in the first set when the team scored the first seven points on all kills. With the game tied at 7-7, the Utes (10-9, 2-5 Pac-12) went on a eight-point scoring run to build a lead over the Sun Devils. Making only one error and forcing six blocks, the Utes took the first set 25-15.
The second set belonged to the Utes as well when they used a five-point scoring run to build another solid lead over the Sun Devils, and eventually went on to take the set 25-16. Sophomore setter Shannan McCready was subbed in place for freshman setter Allison Palmer midway through the second set.
The Sun Devils were unable to mount a comeback as they battled through a tough third set, but fell to the Utes 25-22. Senior outside hitter Erica Wilson lead the Sun Devils in kills with 14, while freshman outside hitter Macey Gardner tallied 12 kills as well.
ASU returns to Tempe next weekend when it hosts No.5 Oregon and Oregon State on Friday and Saturday.
Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu
