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ASU Volleyball: Sun Devils Capture Territorial Cup in Tempe

By Alec Henden

Dec 13, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky reacts during the first half of the game against the Pepperdine Waves at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils mascot Sparky reacts during the first half of the game against the Pepperdine Waves at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Territorial Cup is always a big deal in the state of Arizona. Even though football went Arizona’s way, a much more entertaining game took place the next day in Tempe with the Sun Devils coming out victorious.

Arizona State won a five set thriller Saturday afternoon against the in-state rival Arizona Wildcats to both end a difficult season positively, and hurt the Wildcats postseason aspirations. The Sun Devils will finish the season with a record of 12-20, but it will also end with a three game home winning streak after losing their first seven matches at Wells Fargo Arena. For seniors Maya McClendon, Cassidy Pickrell and Maya Mazon it was a great way to end their ASU careers. Pickrell and McClendon were both transfers, so they were unable to experience their full athletic careers in Tempe but both provided leadership and strong offensive abilities for the Sun Devils.

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Freshman Ivana Jeremic’s end of season tear continued on Saturday as she recorded a new career high in kills with 21 and helped cement herself as the future offensively for the team. Junior Oluoma Okaro contributed 20 kills, as the Sun Devils were able to play a great game on both sides of the nets with a better hitting percentage and more digs than the Wildcats.

This victory is important for coach Stevie Mussie as her first year ends. The team struggled against more talented and taller teams in the PAC-12, victories against your rival will help with recruiting, as well as bringing the volleyball program back to the level it was under former coach Jason Watson. The team will return a lot of good offensive players, but will have work to do on the defensive side of the net especially in blocking where the weakness was exploited almost every match.

Next: ASU Volleyball: ASU Gains Another Home Win

For now, the Sun Devils will enjoy the victory and Territorial Cup and look forward to the next season in the fall.