ASU Volleyball: Tomasevic continues to improve team play

Sanja Tomasevic continued to change up rotations and ASU volleyball continued to win as they swept the 12^th ranked Oregon Ducks in Eugene.

The Sun Devils stormed into Eugene and came with energy and passion as they nearly played a perfect game while upsetting their Pac-12 rival Oregon.

Second year coach Sanja Tomasevic changed up her squad’s starting lineup yet again this season even after winning two straight Pac-12 games.

Tomasevic started junior defensive specialist Halle Johnson in Sunday evening’s game and the team benefited from it. The Sun Devil defense was very impressive digging 64 of the Ducks’ attacks. Johnson contributed 11 digs and was a vital piece in keeping long rallies alive for the Sun Devils to win the point.

Last year, ASU started Tomasevic’s first year as coach with a 10-2 record in non-conference.  Tomasevic had to leave halfway through the season for maternity leave and the team went on to lose their next 20 conference games, finishing with a 10-22 record.

This season the Sun Devil’s started similarly with a 10-3 non-conference record, but this time Tomasevic plans on staying around the whole year and making some noise in the Pac-12.

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Despite winning 10 of their first 13 games, Tomasevic had changed their lineup and scheme multiple times. The big move was moving junior Nicole Peterson from setter to outside hitter.

After being a setter for her first two years, Peterson transitioned to outside hitter seamlessly. She instantly started having double digit kills with sophomore Shelbie Dobmeier playing main setter.

With this dynamic, the Sun Devils were able to win their first conference game since 2016. Yet Tomasevic still saw that her squad could do better. She replaced Dobmeier with junior Callie Jones to take over setting duties.

Tomasevic also changed their scheme so the team now runs a 6-2 formation. When Peterson is in the back row they bring her to set which allows them to have three front row attackers. When Peterson moves up to the front row they bring in Jones to the back row and she comes up to set allowing Peterson to play outside.

Tomasevic is also constantly switching her opposite and outside hitters keeping the opposing team on their toes. She rotates Ivana Jeremic, Alyse Ford, Claire Kovensky, and Peterson as they all take turns hitting from both spots.

The Sun Devils look like a new team under Tomasevic’s tactical changes and they are now 3-1 in Pac-12 play.

The team returns home on Friday to play their next match against Washington State. The Devils host the 13^th ranked Washington Huskies two days later.