(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
Despite a measly showing last weekend (Sept. 1-2) at the Gonzaga Invitational, which saw Arizona State drop two out of their three games, the team quickly recalibrated and bounced back this weekend (Sept. 8-9) at the 2017 NAU Lumberjack Classic.
Cal State Bakersfield: W 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-21)
Given CSUB’s edge amid its overall neutral court record at 2-2 as compared to the Sun Devils’ 1-2, in this neutral court tournament, ASU’s shutout well-proved their intention to be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 this season.
The Devils started off strong their first match on Friday on both the offensive and defensive ends and never looked back. Pacing the offense was senior middle blocker Oluoma Okaro, who added 18 kills along with seven digs in a highly productive outing. This marked the eighth straight contest in which Okaro tallied double figure kills. Also adding to the onslaught was freshman outside hitter Griere Hughes, who added ten kills of her own.
On the defensive end, senior libero Halle Harker posted a team-best 12 digs, saving crucial points that led to the team’s inevitable win. With this performance, Harker’s collegiate career dig tallies rose from 1529 to 1541, inching her way closer to Christy Nore’s third-place spot on ASU’s all-time career digs leaders list of 1597.
Making her first start this season was sophomore setter Nicole Peterson, who recorded a total of 33 assists while adding nine digs of her own. She is the third different setter to start a game this season, competing alongside freshman Shelbie Dobmeier and sophomore Callie Jones.
Junior middle blocker Carmen Unzue added a team best four blocks of her own in what was an all-around commanding effort for the program.
The Sun Devils improved their neutral court record to .500 at 2-2 and strode towards their next match with the poise and confidence necessary to come out victorious.
Northern Arizona University: W 3-1 (17-25, 25-13, 25-14, 25-18)
The Devils continued their impressive showing on Friday, defeating tournament host NAU in a relatively domineering latter half of play.
After dropping the first set, the team regrouped and blossomed into a machine that the Lumberjacks could stop. Okaro managed to one-up her performance in the previous match, collecting a total of 19 kills and 13 digs, her fourth double-double on the season.
Both the third and fourth sets were landslides in favor of ASU that saw the Lumberjacks unable to capitalize on the momentum that carried them through set one. Thanks to additional offensive help from Unzue, realizing nine kills, and junior opposite hitter Peyton Grahovac, logging 13 kills, coupled with a commanding defensive showing from Harker, with 21 digs, ASU had no trouble sweeping the final three sets en route to their second victory of the day on Friday.
Harker’s 21 digs moved her to 1562 on her career, putting her that much closer to Nore’s third place ranking—sitting only 35 digs shy of the mark. With the current season in its early stages, she should have no trouble achieving that spot and earning her place in ASU history.
Utah State: W 3-0 (28-26, 25-20, 25-15)
After going undefeated the day prior, the Sun Devil’ rode their momentum into Saturday’s game against the Utah State Aggies, ultimately sweeping the opposition in a contest that started out competitive, but soon showed how imposing the ASU program can be.
The first set went beyond the typical 25-point total, as Utah State applied ample pressure that kept the Sun Devils on their toes. Okaro led the offense yet again, and improved upon her tournament total 37 kills by adding 14 more and tacking on seven digs for good measure. Hughes made her own mark on the game by adding 13 kills, maintaining a .765 kill percentage.
Although the Aggies had comparable talent in outside hitter Lauren Anderson and Rachel Gale-Hammond, the Devils’ star matchups put pressure offensively and proved too tough of a task for the Utah State offense amid a team total seven blocks.
Harker added 10 more digs to her career total, putting her just 25 shy of the coveted third place position. She also netted Lumberjack Classic MVP honors, while both Okaro and Grahovac earned a spot on the event’s all-tournament team.
With its 3-0 shutout, the Sun Devils swept the 2017 NAU Lumberjack Classic weekend in a showing sure to further the spirit and steadfastnes needed to compete in a conference as competitive and daunting as the Pac-12. Now with a current overall record of 7-2, ASU will bring the heat to their next game against Lamar on Sept. 15 at the UT Arlington Maverick Classic.
