Freshman outside hitter Macey Gardner (12) attempts to spike the ball past the Stanford front line during the Sun Devils’ 3-1 loss to the Cardinal on Sunday. (Photo by Kyle Newman)As there never is an easy weekend in the Pac-12, the ASU volleyball team travels to southern California to play in two more difficult games this weekend.
The Sun Devils (13-4, 2-2 Pac-12) faces No. 6 UCLA on Friday and No. 5 USC on Saturday. Both matches offer a chance for the Sun Devils to separate themselves from the middle of the conference, as five teams sit tied for second place.
ASU last played on the road when they opened up its Pac-12 schedule with a game against UA, which ended in a 3-1 loss for the Sun Devils. The road has been unkind to the Sun Devils, as they’ve only notched five wins in their past 30 Pac-12 road games.
“We weren’t good down in Tucson, and I think there are a lot of reasons for that,” coach Jason Watson said. “I hope we’ve learned from that. I hope that we’re now a little bit better prepared to go on the road, and we’re going to have to do that for two straight weekends.”
UCLA’s (10-3, 2-2 Pac-12) two Pac-12 losses this season came against then-No. 2 Trojans, and then-No. 5 Washington — both of which came on the road.
USC’s (14-2, 2-2 Pac-12) two conference losses were to ranked opponents, falling to No. 8 Oregon at home and Washington on the road.
To get a split of the games — or perhaps a sweep — the Sun Devils are going to need first stop a UCLA squad that ranks No. 8 in the nation in hitting percentage (.302). The Bruins don’t have any standout individuals, but rather share the wealth. UCLA ranks No. 20 in the country in kill per set (14.45) and No. 27 in blocks per set (2.76).
Against USC, ASU must to stop senior opposite hitter Katie Fuller, who ranks in the top-50 in kills per set at 4.02. The Trojans also feature junior middle blocker Alexis Olgard, whose .368 hitting percentage is good for 46th in the nation. The two players lead an offense that ranks No. 6 nationally in kills at 14.75 per set.
“It’s not an easy weekend, but no weekend is easy in the Pac-12,” freshman outside hitter Macey Gardner said. “I think we’re just going to go in there, we’re going to get on their tendencies early and just go out there and know that every point is going to be important, and we have to go out there and grab it.”
Gardner will be key to the Sun Devil’s success as she continues to have a breakout season. Already named to her second Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors, she’s moved up to No. 3 in the NCAA in kills per set at 5.05.
Also leading the Devils is senior outside hitter Erica Wilson, who ranks No. 26 in kills per set (4.26), and freshman setter Allison Palmer, who is No. 8 in assists per set (11.98).
“The most important thing is to be confident and to really work hard in practice on the things that will really help us in the game, such as blocking,” Wilson said. “That’s what we got better at this week, and (also) getting on the hitters’ tendencies earlier in the game.”
ASU will be looking for its first win against each team, since the Sun Devils defeated both opponents on back-to-back nights in Tempe in 2010.
Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu
