Freshman outside hitter Macey Gardner taps the ball over the net during the Sun Devils’ 3-2 loss at Colorado on Oct. 12. (Photo by Kyle Newman)The ASU volleyball team has to rebound from its loss to No. 3 Oregon quickly, as they face the second-best team in the nation on Friday.
The Sun Devils (14-9, 3-7 Pac-12) begin the second-half of their Pac-12 schedule when they travel to northern California this weekend for games against No. 2 Stanford and California. The last time ASU faced off against the two programs, the team split the two games, defeating California (10-10, 4-6 Pac-12) before losing to Stanford (19-2, 11-0 Pac-12).
The Sun Devils haven’t found much of a rhythm outside of Tempe. ASU is still searching for its first conference road win this season, going winless in its first five road games.
“In our team meeting this week, we talked about embracing the challenge and creating good habits, so we create them here in our home gym,” freshman setter Allison Palmer said. “Then when we go up to play Stanford and Cal, we’ll have those same habits.”
The Sun Devils’ first test comes against Stanford, who enters the game riding a 19-game winning streak; with the Cardinal’s most recent win being over UA on Wednesday night. The last time ASU went up against Stanford, the Cardinal defeated the Sun Devils, 3-1.
“Their record doesn’t matter,” freshman outside hitter Macey Gardner said. “We’re going to go out there and cheer each other on, because the only people that want us to win on that court is going to be us.”
With the level of talent the Cardinal have, its no surprise Stanford is ranked as the No. 2 team in the country.
Middle blockers junior Carly Wopat and freshman Inky Ajanaku rank No. 1 and No. 3 in the conference in hitting percentage for Stanford, helping the Cardinal kill at a high rate.
The team as a whole excels at weakening their opponents’ attack, forcing foes to hit at a low percentage of .163 per set.
The two-game road trip closes on Sunday night against California. When the Sun Devils last played the Golden Bears in Tempe, ASU went to work quick, sweeping California 3-0.
The Golden Bears have been able to stay afloat in the Pac-12, thanks in part to their solid defense.
As a team, the Golden Bears rank No. 4 in the conference in both blocks per set (2.85) and digs per set (14.92).
Senior middle hitter Kat Brown leads the team in blocks per set, which puts her at No. 7 in the Pac-12 with 1.32.
“We have 10 matches left — five of them are on the road — and we’ve got to be good,” ASU coach Jason Watson said. “We’ve got to get some wins to stay in the hunt if we want to go to the postseason.”
Reach the reporter at talopez3@asu.edu
