(Photo: Reed Harmon/WCSN)
Arizona State beach volleyball found its rhythm at the Kingsville Beach Bash as the Sun Devils took down each one of its opponents in dominating fashion and making history in the process.
ASU (19-12, 2-4 Pac-12) swept all four of its matches after facing Texas A&M-Kingsville, Abilene Christian and Park University, making it the first time in program history that ASU has had four-straight 5-0 victories.
“The wins this weekend gave us the confidence going into Pac-12s swinging hard,” sophomore Kate Baldwin said. “All the pairs did a great job at finishing games; they didn’t waste time at scoring points.”
Sophomores Samantha Plaster and Kate Baldwin continued the trend of breaking records for the Sand Devils as they reached 42 career wins as a duo, breaking the all-time pairs record in program history.
“It’s unbelievable. I came into this experience wanting to leave my mark on the program,” Plaster said. “I didn’t realize I’d be making my mark so soon in my career.”
Consistency has been a major role in the sophomore duo’s development. The pair this season has taken down No. 4 Hawai’i, No. 5 Pepperdine and No. 7 Cal Poly.
“As sophomores, we have a year on our backs, which helps us with strategy and running plays,” Baldwin said. “We have a lot of fun playing with one another, so if we keep the joy of the game alive, it leads to more success.”
Friday’s results broke another ASU beach volleyball record. The team surpassed its 2017-win total of 16, becoming the winningest team in program history.
“This weekend, we focused on playing our game,” Plaster said. “I think everyone focused on taking care of the ball and taking care of the basics.”
The Sand Devils have created a new identity this season. A key reason for the success has been the way they believe they are not a team – they are more of a family.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned this season is to stay true to your partner and to the team as a whole,” Baldwin said. “This team is the next closest thing to family, so it’s great to pull off wins and make them and yourself proud.”
The Devils will have the week off before heading to Los Angeles for the Pac-12 tournament beginning on April 25.
“We can’t wait for a chance to prove ourselves at [the tournament],” said Baldwin. “It’s what we’ve been working for all season, and we are ready to hand over some upsets.”
Friday results:
Match One – ASU 5, ACU 0
1) Oluoma Okaro/Ashley Wenz (ASU) vs. Eighmy Dobbins/Kate Mueller (ACU) 21-12, 21-7
2) Katelyn Carballo/Katie Cross (ASU) vs. Hunter Barker/Mackenzie Harris (ACU) 21-6, 21-6
3) Cierra Flood/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) vs. Kennedy Shelstead/Amy Weiss (ACU) 21-11, 21-8
4) Emily Anderson/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) vs. Brittany Roberts/Marybeth Sandercox (ACU) 21-10, 21-8
5) Kate Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU) vs. Sofia Resendiz/Lindsey Toney (ACU) 21-13, 21-11
Match Two – ASU 5, TAMUK 0
1) Oluoma Okaro/Ashley Wenz (ASU) vs. Tenley Housler/Whitney Walker (TAMUK) 26-24, 19-21, 15-8
2) Katelyn Carballo/Katie Cross (ASU) vs. Kylexus Block/Madison Brabham (TAMUK) 16-21, 21-12, 16-14
3) Emily Anderson/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) vs. Macy Berg/Haley Hutchinson (TAMUK) 21-10, 21-13
4) Ellyson Lundberg/Cierra Flood (ASU) vs. Kadi Shipman/Maelee Sowa (TAMUK) 21-9, 21-12
5) Kate Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU) vs. Christina Gragasin/Nicole Murff (TAMUK) 21-12, 21-11
Saturday results:
Match One – ASU 5, ACU 0
1) Oluoma Okaro/Ashley Wenz (ASU) def. Eighmy Dobbins/Katelyn Mueller (ACU) 21-11, 21-16
2) Emily Anderson/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) def. Hunter Barker/Mackenzie Harris (ACU) 21-15, 21-18
3) Katelyn Carballo/Katie Cross (ASU) def. Kennedy Shelstead/Amy Weiss (ACU) 21-9, 21-14
4) Kate Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU) def. Marybeth Sandercox/Brittney Roberts (ACU) 21-7, 21-7
5) Cierra Flood/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) def. Sofia Resendiz/Lindsey Toney (ACU) 21-7, 21-7
Match Two – ASU 5, Park 0
1) Natalie Braun/Ashley Wenz (ASU) def. Celina Monteiro/Lorrayne Silva (PARK) 21-9, 21-9
2) Emily Anderson/Lauren Weintraub (ASU) def. Paula de Oliveira/Amanda Santos (PARK) 21-8, 21-15
3) Katelyn Carballo/Katie Cross (ASU) def. Alissa Flint/Tijana Sisic (PARK) 21-15, 21-9
4) Kate Baldwin/Samantha Plaster (ASU) def. Kyra Kaloi/Rebekah Rothacher (PARK) 21-8, 21-7
5) Cierra Flood/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) def. Taryn Bloomfield/Natalya Nalivaiko (PARK) 21-14, 21-5
