ASU volleyball head coach Jason Watson discusses techniques with players during a practice. Watson said the team still has a chance at making the NCAA tournament despite a split this weekend. (Photo by Katie Dunphy)
Another weekend, another split for the ASU volleyball team.
For the third-straight weekend in the Pac-12, the Sun Devils won their first game and lost their second, this time against UCLA and then-No. 8 USC in Los Angeles.
Coach Jason Watson and the Sun Devils (18-12, 7-11 Pac-12) have their backs against the wall, needing to win their final two games for a shot at making the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday.
“A team like us, we can lose seven straight and still be on the bubble of making the tournament,” Watson said after Friday’s victory. “It’s why we love coaching in this conference.”
Two wins would give the Sun Devils a 20-win season and nine wins in the nation’s toughest volleyball conference. That exact formula was enough to get the Sun Devils into the tournament last year.
If history repeats itself, ASU will win its last matches and squeak into the tournament. But first, the good and the bad from their weekend in Los Angeles.
The Good:
Arellano more comfortable setting middle blockers
Sophomore setter Bianca Arellano, who set mostly to the outside hitters against Colorado and Utah, used sophomores Whitney Follette and Mercedes Binns more on Friday and Sunday. Follette totaled 13 kills on Friday and led her team with six on Sunday. Binns totaled eight kills over the weekend.
Arellano likely at full capacity with block
On Tuesday, Arellano said she couldn’t quite elevate at 100 percent, the only thing holding her back from full recovery. That issue appears to have subsided, as Arellano recorded two block assists in each of the games Friday and Sunday.
Gardner block improving
Sophomore outside hitter Macey Gardner recorded three block assists in each of the games this weekend, tying her season high, which she set Aug. 31 against North Dakota State.
Recent success against upcoming competition
The Sun Devils have won two straight against both California and Arizona, their final two opponents in the regular season, including a four-set victory over Arizona last season to clinch an NCAA berth.
Recent shortcomings by upcoming competition
California and Arizona lost both matches this weekend, against the Washington and Southern California schools, respectively. The two schools already have ten wins in the Pac-12, essentially securing their tournament spots. The Bears and Wildcats won’t be playing with as much desperation as the Sun Devils this weekend.
The Bad:
Willey injury worsening
Freshman opposite hitter Kizzy Willey took just two swings before being subbed out against UCLA Friday and did not play vs. USC Sunday. On Saturday, she tweeted “Throbbing, throbbing, throbbing . . . hate injuries.”
Offensive production at USC
The Sun Devils hit just .100 against the Women of Troy, combining for just 27 team kills, a season-low. ASU’s outside hitters, Gardner and freshman BreElle Bailey, combined for just nine kills in the loss, also a season-low.
Serving at USC
ASU aced the Bruins seven times on Friday, its highest total since Sept. 20 against Louisiana-Monroe, when the Sun Devils also recorded seven aces. Things appeared to be looking up from the service line but on Sunday the Women of Troy handled ASU’s service almost perfectly, allowing just one ace.
The Sun Devils face Cal at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and Arizona in Tucson on Friday at 5:00 p.m.
Reach the reporter at bmargiot@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @BenMargiott
