No. 15 ASU's win streak ended at six as they fell 3-0 to Louisville to open Friday's match.
Before the weekend began, ASU coach Jason Watson said this would be one of the tougher matchups in ASU's young season: Louisville is physical and plays to its outside hitters. His prediction came true, as Louisville's game proved too much for ASU.
The first set was close and Louisville eked out a 25-23 victory. The Cardinals went on to take the next two sets with ease, winning the second 25-13 and the final 25-17.
Junior outside hitter Macey Gardner had the most kills for ASU, totaling 11. Junior middle blocker Whitney Follette finished with seven.
The afternoon match against Northern Illinois looked to be more of the same -- the Sun Devils dropped the first two sets before storming back and winning the final three (23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-10).
Three ASU players set or tied career-highs in some statistical measurement. Junior setter Bianca Arellano recorded 57 assists. Sophomore outside hitter Kizzy Willey set a career high in kills with 12, and senior middle blocker Mercedes Binns tied her personal best with 10.
Including Binns and Willey, five ASU players registered double-digit kills. Gardner set the pace with 19 and was followed by sophomore opposite hitter BreElle Bailey (15) and Follette (12).
Going 1-1 on the day, ASU pushed its record to 7-1. The Sun Devils take on host Morehead State tomorrow at 2 p.m Arizona time.
Reach the reporter at logan.newman@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Logan_Newsman
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