Devils in Detail
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ASU Volleyball: A Temporary Halt in the Road Trip

By Samantha Sloman

Sep 3, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky performs during the first half against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky performs during the first half against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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With conference season under way, the Arizona State women’s volleyball team head into their first home game against the No. 21 Oregon Ducks.

The Ducks are 9-2 on the season and are currently on a nine-match winning streak riding momentum into Friday’s match.

Unlike Oregon, ASU has opened Pac-12 play with a pair of losses to Arizona and Utah and are currently on a four-game losing streak. After the past few matches, the Sun Devils have been shifting their focus towards the little things that could potentially cost them a match.

This mindset has allowed the team to gear their focus towards never taking their eyes off the ball and expanding their communication.

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“There is a lot of room for improvement. We’ve had a substantial amount of errors, and our error percentage is way too high at the moment,” said Coach Mussie. “Our biggest focus is upgrading our eye work defensively. If we are able to do that we’ll stay in rallies longer, and hopefully be able to win points here and there. My main goal for Oregon on Friday is to compete and keep our errors low.”

Offensively, the Sun Devils are running the 6-2, a formation consisting of two setters, a middle blocker, an outside and right side hitter, and the libero.

“I love running the 6-2. I think it’s a great combination and a huge bonus for our team to have three hitters up at all times. Being a setter, my communication has to improve and I think Kylie Pickrell and I do a great job of running the game,” said sophomore setter Caroline Pearson.” Being switched into the starting lineup definitely boosted my confidence this season, and all the girls were very supportive of me being switched into the lineup.”

Due to their balanced attack, Oregon presents ASU with a challenge on defense. The Ducks has a strong attacking percentage of .321, whereas ASU has a percentage of .195.

“I’m going to be looking at the ball, the setter, the ball and then the hitter. That’ll help me see where the ball is and see where the hitter is at the same time, and hopefully that way I’ll be able to get a block. My main goal during this conference season is to stuff anyone who comes near me,” said middle blocker Jasmine Koonts.

Koonts, a sophomore, has also had 80 kills this season and is second on the team in blocks with 47. With the Ducks having strong consistency on offense, ASU will have to rely on Koonts to limit kills and alter shots.

Next: ASU Volleyball: Sun Devils Lose to Utah in Marathon

Tonight’s match will begin at 6 p.m. and will available on Pac-12 Arizona.