Jason Watson, the head coach of the ASU women’s volley ball team, gives his athletes blocking advice during a practice. The girls constantly rotate players on and off the court so they all go through the same practice drills. (Photo by Katie Dunphy)
A year removed from its winningest season in 19 years, the ASU volleyball team has recompiled the crucial elements for another huge year: A nationally ranked freshman recruiting class, a star-studded group of seasoned sophomores and an experienced head coach hungering for a postseason run.
A trio of sophomores blazes the trail: outside hitter Macey Gardner, setter Allison Palmer and middle blocker Whitney Follette.
In the offseason, Gardner played with the Pac-12 All-Star team in China, Palmer with the American junior national team and Follette with the Canadian national team.
Returning for her final year is senior libero Stephanie Preach, who led the team in digs in 2012 and is expected to carry the defensive load for the Sun Devils in 2013.
Entering the picture with enough energy and talent to fill the role of the graduated seniors is the 13thbest recruiting class in the nation, comprising three outside hitters and libero Genevieve Pirotte.
Coach Jason Watson said the freshmen class needs to step up.
"One of these freshmen is certainly going to have to come in and carry a big offensive role," Watson said. "That's a huge question mark for us."
Watson stands at the helm, sights fixed on a deep NCAA tournament run after nearly advancing to the second round last year.
Standing in the team's way is one of the toughest nonconference schedules in program history, headlined by the reigning national champion Texas Longhorns.
“It’s a difficult schedule for us, I think," Watson said. "It’s one where we’re trying to challenge our team. You don’t want to go to easy, but also, you don’t want to schedule yourself out of some wins.”
The nonconference slate is made more challenging because the first nine games of the season are away from Wells Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils went just 6-8 on the road in 2012.
“(The mindset) has to be different,” Watson said. “We need to be better on the road.”
On Aug. 17, the Sun Devils experienced a road-type environment while scrimmaging on ASU’s West campus.
“There’s just some different stresses and strains that I don’t think we responded well to,” Watson said.
While Watson might not expect younger players to be leaders in this area, he will need contributions from the freshman class to fill some spots in the rotation.
Most important is the outside hitter opposite Gardner, a spot vacated when outside hitter Erica Wilson graduated.
“As far as replacing Erica, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Gardner said.
However, coach Watson said he has seen some glimpses of Wilson in several of the younger players on his squad.
Freshman outside hitter Kizzy Willey and freshman outside hitter BreElle Bailey both have impressed Watson early. Junior outside hitter Nora Tuioti-Mariner, who was third on the team in kills in 2012, will also compete for the position.
Sun Devil Volleyball has traditionally been associated with offense, as the outside hitters score most of its points.
“Blocking is not our identity, that’s for sure,” Watson said. “We’re not an outstanding blocking team, but certainly it’s something we needed to upgrade.”
With the departure of Alexis Pinson, last year’s leading blocker, the task becomes much more difficult.
Watson said he believes that junior middle blocker Julia Katolik and sophomore middle blocker Mercedes Binns will help carry this burden. Follette, who trailed Pinson last year in blocking, will also be relied on up front.
Despite the lack of height and experience on this year’s team, Watson said he and his players expect to make a postseason run, and will count on their work ethic to carry them through.
Gardner said she agrees.
“We’re definitely not the tallest team out there. We’re not the fastest, but we’ll outwork you any day,” Gardner said.
Reach the reporter at bmargiot@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @BenMargiott
