Devils in Detail
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ASU Volleyball: ASU-Cal Recap

By Alec Henden

Dec 23, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the first half against the Detroit Titans at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky during the first half against the Detroit Titans at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona State Women’s Volleyball team broke their long losing streak with a road win against the California Golden Bears in four sets on Friday night.

The Sun Devils broke their nine game losing streak, as well as their six game winless start to Pac-12 play. For a team that has really struggled to compete with teams due to their lack of height, it was a good way to get back into the win column.

California has faced their fair share of adversity to begin the season as well in this matchup of the teams win the worst records in the Pac-12.

Senior Oluoma Okaro was the offensive leader for the Sun Devils recording 14 kills in the match and an impressive .333 hit percentage. The Sun Devils didn’t dazzle in any particular part of the match, losing in kills, errors, digs and hit percentage, but did enough to win the match.

Leading the Sun Devil defensive effort was junior libero Halle Harker with 17 blocks, Harker has been a very impactful defensive player this season.

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Redshirt sophomore Ashten Smith-Gooden was the force of the California attack as she recorded career highs in kills with 20, and a hit percentage of .385.

Coach Stevie Mussie has to be impressed by the way her team played, as they were able to finish sets effectively and compete at a high-level in tough situations late in sets.

The match was close throughout, and the Sun Devils were the better team during crunch time.

For the Sun Devils it’s always important to get wins, but winning your first game in conference on the road must feel good for the self-proclaimed “road warriors.”

The Sun Devils will now make the short drive to Palo Alto to take on the Stanford Cardinal Saturday night at 7 p.m.; the game can be viewed through Stanford’s live stream.