(Photo: Trey Lanthier/WCSN)
The No. 16 Sun Devils started their season by taking care of Northeastern, New Mexico State and Air Force in the Falcon Classic.
Things got off to a good start for the Sun Devils as they swept the Northeastern Paws in three straight sets (25-16, 25-14, 25-17). Every Sun Devil who stepped onto the court seemed to play well, but once again it was senior outside hitter Macey Gardner who stole the show with seven kills and 10 digs. But, it was Gardner’s first three kills that proved to be the most important as she passed Tammy Webb for all-time kills, standing at No. 3 in ASU history.
After taking the first match with ease, New Mexico State was the first speed-bump for the No. 16 Sun Devils. The Aggies took the first set from ASU (22-25) and had all of the momentum going into the second set. It looked like it was going to be the same outcome in set two as New Mexico State was leading by 10 points at one time. However, the Sun Devils switched things around eventually winning the set (25-22) behind eight team blocks and only two attack errors.
For the most part, set three was a battle in the beginning. The score was close for the first 15 points. The Sun Devils took charge after that ending the third set with authority (25-18).
Much like the third set, the fourth was pretty similar but it was the Aggies who came out on top late in the set, 25-20 to force a fifth set.
The Sun Devils came out strong with a 3-0 lead but NMSU came charging back tying the score eventually taking a lead. Their lead was eventually broken thanks to a combined effort from Arizona State’s offense, and the Sun Devils pulled away to beat the Aggies 15-7 to take the match.
A few hours later, the Sun Devils played Air Force for the last match of the tournament. At first it seemed like the Falcons had ASU’s number keeping the game close, but the Sun Devil’s came out on top (25-23). It was the combined effort of junior outside hitter, Cassidy Pickrell and Gardner who combined for 22 kills and 15 digs. With the two OHs playing so well, the Sun Devils rolled over the Falcons in the last two sets (25-13, 25-17), and finished the weekend undefeated.
The Sun Devils are now 3-0 on the season and hope to stay that way as they travel back to Colorado on Friday and Saturday, to take on Colorado State, Western Michigan and Northern Colorado.
