After upsetting No. 14 USC and ending an 11-match skid, ASU volleyball will have their last two games of the season against No. 2 Stanford and No. 23 Arizona.
Although the Sun Devils will not make the NCAA tournament, the team is hungrier than ever to upset Stanford and possibly knock out Arizona. ASU played strongly the last two games as the offense has been flowing smoothly, and they plan to continue their momentum this upcoming week.
Stanford:
What to expect: This will be the toughest match of the year as the Cardinals have looked indestructible. Unfortunately, do not expect another upset as the Sun Devils defense will likely not have enough to stop Stanford’s powerful offense. The Cardinal offense, led by Kathryn Plummer, can get kills from either side or the back line. The Sun Devils will try to make the most of the young talented outside hitters, but ASU will need to rely for a career match from Alyse Ford.
Key Stat: Tami Alade is ranked first in the Pac-12 in hitting percentage at .409 and blocks per set at 1.82. Jenna Gray leads the Pac-12 in service aces per set at .40 and assists per set at 12.47. Stanford has the most kills per set at 15 and highest hitting percentage in the Pac-12 at .305.
Ford has 84 kills in the last five matches. Megan Beedie has the fifth-highest hitting percentage in the Pac-12 at .360. ASU has a top-tier defense as they have the second-most overall digs in Pac-12 and the most digs per set in the Pac-12.
X-Factor: Ford must have a career night with at least 25 kills and a .250 hitting percentage. Although this might sound difficult for Ford, she has to lead this young team by carrying the offense. The defense must not allow Stanford to have one-on-one chances at the net.
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Arizona:
What to expect: This will be another tough game for the Sun Devils, but there is a higher possibility of an upset in this match. Arizona has relied on Kendra Dahlke on the offense, so she will try to show up again against the Sun Devils. Last time, the Wildcats swept the Sun Devils to hand ASU their first conference loss of the year. Dahlke finished with a double-double at 14 kills and 11 digs. The Sun Devils can prove they have a bright future in this match as ASU should spread the attack like they did against USC.
Key Stat: Dahlke leads the Pac-12 in kills per set with 4.91 and is tied for first in Pac-12 in overall kills with 447. Devyn Cross is fourth in hitting percentage at .367. Courtney Leffel leads ASU’s defense with the third-most digs in the Pac-12 with 483. Arizona has the most kills in the Pac-12 compared to ASU, who is second to last.
X-Factor: Leffel will need to help lead this defense in order to shut down Dahlke and Arizona’s offense. ASU’s offense will undoubtedly run through Ford, but will also need help from Ivana Jeremic, who finished with seven kills last time these two teams faced off.
First serve between ASU and Stanford will be at 5 p.m. tonight at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Arizona.