(Photo: Alex Roddier/WCSN)
Arizona State beach volleyball played on its Tempe sand for the final time this 2019 season, also marking the last time the ASU seniors will play in Sand Devil Stadium. The Devils hosted Utah and No. 7 Cal Poly on Saturday and wrapped up their weekend on Sunday when they faced Abilene Christian and their in-state rival – No. 14 Arizona.
With an already historic season, ASU (15-12, 2-5 Pac-12) surpassed its win total from a season ago after a road trip last weekend.
“Compared to last year’s team, we’re just a little bit better [with teams one through five],” head coach Brad Keenan said Sunday. “We were pretty good with our three through fives last year but just had some struggles up top. This year I think the team is just a little more complete.”
ASU found its footing early on Saturday after defeating an inexperienced Utah (3-5, 0-1 Pac-12) program. The Utes played just four matches prior to their visit to Tempe. By starting the weekend against Utah, the Devils had to adjust briskly as they fought, but could not survive, against No. 7 Cal Poly.
Saturday results:
Match One – ASU 4, Utah 1
1) Oluoma Okaro/Ashley Wenz (ASU) vs. Tawnee Luafalemana/Dani Drews (Utah) 14-21, 21-17, 15-7
2) Kenzie Koerber/Megan Yett (Utah) vs. Katelyn Carballo/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) 13-21, 21-18, 15-12
3) Katie Cross/Cierra Flood (ASU) vs. Jessica Villela/Lauren Sproule (Utah) 19-21, 21-10, 15-10
4) Samantha Plaster/Kate Baldwin (ASU) vs. Phoebe Grace/Olivia Teerlink (Utah) 21-4, 21-16
5) Lauren Weintraub/Emily Anderson (ASU) vs. Kinga Windisch/Keana Smalls (Utah) 21-16, 21-19
Match Two – No. 7 Cal Poly 3, ASU 2
1) Emily Sonny/Tia Miric (CP) vs. Oluoma Okaro/Ashley Wenz (ASU) 21-18, 21-11
2) Vanessa Roscoe/Macy Gordon (CP) vs. Katelyn Carballo/Elly Lundberg (ASU) 21-17, 21-18
3) Kat Wright/Jayelin Lombard (CP) vs. Katie Cross/Cierra Flood (ASU) 21-17, 21-15
4) Samantha Plaster/Kate Baldwin (ASU) vs. Heather Pembroke/Brayden Gruenewald (CP) 21-14, 19-21, 15-6
5) Lauren Weintraub/Emily Anderson (ASU) vs. Delany Peranich/Sam Manley (CP) 21-17, 21-16
“You have to go into [these matches] having the same mindset for both games,” senior Katie Cross said. “You can’t play an easier team easier. You have to keep your level of play up so you’re ready for the next game.”
The Sun Devils started Sunday’s senior day with a clean sweep over Abilene Christian (2-9). ASU was unable to continue its festivities following the senior ceremony after falling to No. 14 Arizona.
Sunday Results:
Match One – ASU 5, ACU 0
1) Oluoma Okaro/Ashley Wenz (ASU) vs. Kate Mueller/Eighmy Dobbins (ACU) 21-15, 21-10
2) Katie Cross/Cierra Flood (ASU) vs. Hunter Barker/MacKenzie Harris (ACU) 21-15, 21-11
3) Katelyn Carballo/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) vs. Amy Weiss/Kennedy Shelstead (ACU) 21-15, 21-12
4) Samantha Plaster/Kate Baldwin (ASU) vs. Marybeth Sandercox/Brittney Roberts (ACU) 21-16, 21-11
5) Lauren Weintraub/Emily Anderson (ASU) vs. Sofia Resendiz/Lindsey Toney (ACU) 21-7, 21-17
Match Two – No. 14 Arizona 4, ASU 1,
1) Oluoma Okaro/Ashley Wenz (ASU) vs. Olivia Hallaran/Mia Mason (UA) 21-16, 21-16
2) Jonny Baham/Brooke Burling (UA) vs. Katie Cross/Cierra Flood (ASU) 21-17, 21-16
3) Natalie Anselmo/Madison Rigdon (UA) vs. Katelyn Carballo/Ellyson Lundberg (ASU) 21-15, 21-18
4) Sarah Blacker/Jasmine Safar (UA) vs. Samantha Plaster/Kate Baldwin (ASU) 23-21, 21-19
5) Dana Parker/Ainise Havili (UA) vs. Lauren Weintraub/Emily Anderson (ASU) 21-10, 21-18
The highlighted senior day matchup against in-state rival No. 14 Arizona concluded the emotional yet promising weekend for the Devils.
“I think we played better last time we played [Arizona],” Keenan said. “We had one of our players out last time too. We definitely had a chance to win last time. This time – I don’t know. I think they had our number today … we weren’t as good as the last time we played them.”
To add onto losses for ASU on Sunday, the Sand Devils were reminded of what they will be losing at season’s end.
“It’ll be rough,” sophomore Kate Baldwin said. “[Ashley Wenz and Oly Okaro] are two of our tallest girls on the team as well. We’re going to have a little lack in height but hopefully, we can make up for that with skill and other fast things we can do.”
Five seniors were honored at Sand Devil Stadium. Cross, Okaro, Wenz, Natalie Braun, and Carmen Unzue held their roses as they took pictures with their respected families on center court.
The memories each one possesses will always have greater value than the pictures and roses they carry.
“There’s a few key wins in there that I will always remember with a lot of great upsets,” Cross said. “Travel, games with the team. The stuff off the court is what is most memorable for me.”
Okaro and Wenz have been a problem for teams all season long. The pair improved to 15-3 this season and have set a new standard for ASU beach volleyball. Luckily for the rest of the team, they have two veterans in Wenz and Okaro to learn from as they grow in the program.
“In practice — just us upperclassmen and more experienced players — we go hard every day,” Okaro said. “It allows [the younger players] to play up to our level.”
The seniors gave a lasting impression to their team.
“I just see everyone as a role model to me,” Baldwin said. “They have a huge impact…you automatically look up to them for life advice and volleyball advice.”
The Sun Devils will conclude the regular season on the road next weekend as they head to Texas for the Kingsville Beach Bash.
