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ASU Volleyball: Sun Devils fall in Pac-12 opener to Arizona

By Carson Field

TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, 'Sparky' following the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Arizona State Sun Devils mascot, 'Sparky' following the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 27-17. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The ASU volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-22) loss in its first conference match of the season to Arizona. The Sun Devils’ record faltered to 10-3 (0-1) with the loss.

Coming off of two tournaments in which ASU went undefeated with a 10-2 overall record, the Sun Devils had high expectations coming into the first conference game. However, the team’s high hopes were quickly shattered by their in-state foe.  

The first set was back and forth between the Wildcats and Sun Devils, and the teams were at one point tied 24-24. However, Arizona won the next two points to take the set 26-24.

In set two, the Wildcats started out hot with an 8-3 run to start the set. ASU attempted to stop the Arizona momentum by putting freshman setter Shelbie Dobmeier, who led the conference in assists per set, into the game.

Despite inserting Dobmeier into the lineup, the Wildcats still cruised to win the second set 25-18.

In set three, Arizona once again got off to a hot start, beginning the set on a 7-2 run. ASU did comeback in the set, however, reducing the Arizona lead to 16-15 at one point, but ASU never took the lead in the rest of the set.

The Wildcats ended the third and final set on a kill from Elizabeth Shelton to make it 25-22.

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Kendra Dahlke and Jade Turner combined for 23 kills for the Wildcat attack, and Ivana Jeremic led the Sun Devils in kills with 14.

Head coach Sanja Tomasevic said the reason for the 3-0 loss is because the team did not play well together.

“Before the match, I talked about the service and how it would be a key for tonight’s match,” Tomasevic said. “We did not pass well and we did not serve well, so I’m not surprised with the outcome of the match.”

The Sun Devils hit for a mediocre .241 hitting percentage, and Oluoma Okaro alone had seven errors.

Another key for the Arizona victory is how well they served and how well they defended ASU’s serves.

“We missed five serves, we had no aces; they missed one serve and seven aces,” Tomasevic said. “When they went for it, they went for it and scored, but when we went for it, it found a way to get out.”

Arizona also dominated Arizona State in blocks, for the Wildcats recorded 10 compared to ASU’s four.

“They definitely had a good block, but our offense was predictable because of our pass,” Tomasevic said. “Our passing was bad; therefore, it was easy to put two blockers up.”

While loss is always discouraging, sophomore outside hitter Ivana Jeremic said this one stung just a little bit more.

“It’s very disappointing,” Jeremic said. “Especially because it’s a home game and Arizona. I mean they are the biggest rival and also we had high hopes.”

Next: ASU Volleyball: 2017 Pac-12 Conference Preview

The next game for ASU comes on Sunday against No. 7 Washington, where Tomasevic played during her college career. Washington comes into the game 11-1, and the Huskies are coming off a win in their first conference game against in-state rival Washington State.