ASU Volleyball: Sun Devils sneak out a win in Berkeley

ASU volleyball had 38 attack errors but squeaked out a five-set win (25-20, 25-27, 25-22, 21-25, 18-16) on the road against California.

After dropping their first Pac-12 game of the season to Arizona, the Sun Devils came into Berkeley and had a rough performance, but they ended up winning in five sets. ASU won their first Pac-12 game since November 26, 2016, against Arizona.

Neither team had full control of any set as the teams had several momentum swings in each set. A huge part that kept this game close was the Sun Devils’ errors. The Sun Devils had 14 more errors in the match compared to the Bears. However, Carmen Unzue, as well as the ASU front line, showed up on the defensive side in this game as she got six out of the 12 blocks for ASU.

Ivana Jeremic was a key factor to this win too as she recorded her sixth double-double with 17 kills and 19 digs. She also had tied for the second most blocks for the Sun Devils with four herself.

The Sun Devils’ errors led to a much closer game as they had an attack error in set two while down 26-25, causing them to lose that set 27-25. The Sun Devils also let the Bears catch fire as they stole set four from the Sun Devils. ASU led 20-16, but gave up six errors in a 9-1 Cal run to close the set.

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The Bears wrecked havoc at home due to Mima Mirkovich. Mirkovich had her sixth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 12 digs. The Bears also shut down the Sun Devils’ front line several times as they ended the match with 14 blocks.

Mirkovich also got help from Preslie Anderson who led the team in kills (12) and blocks (7).

Those two also got defensive help from Lauren Forte who had seven blocks as well. Those four tried to keep California in this match as they shut down ASU’s tempo and outside hitters from getting more kills.

The attack errors affected both teams tremendously as the Sun Devils hit percentage was .132 and the Bears hit percentage was .164.

The Sun Devils’ hit percentage dropped due to the Bears’ game plan. Every time Alyse Ford stepped on the court and tried to get another kill under her belt, the Bears would have two people up front trying to block her kill every time. Due to this game plan, Ford had 16 kills off of 47 attempts which caused her hitting percentage to drop. She finished with a .064 hitting percentage and 13 errors.

Although Ford was shut down by at least two defenders every time, this allowed Megan Beedie to get 10 kills off of 22 attempts and end with a .364 hitting percentage.

The Sun Devils must plan for others get kills in order to free up the outside attack and limit the amount of errors.

dark. Next. ASU Volleyball: Sun Devils fall in defensive duel

The Sun Devils (10-4) will hit the road again on Friday to take on the Oregon State Beavers (10-4).