(Photo: Alex Amen/WCSN)
TEMPE – “We’re not losing this point and we’re not losing this game.”
As the rumble of fans filled Desert Financial Arena, Fifth-year Aniya Clinton made an assertion. The scoreboard showed 26-25 in the fourth set.
“Whatever we have to do to get it done,” Clinton said. “We’re gonna get it done.
Shortly after, Clinton delivered a controlled ball over the net that floored directly in front of Colorado’s libero.
Arizona State’s 3-1 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes was nothing short of a nail-biter. Entering the match, ASU had shown a pattern through 14 games this season: the outcome of the game was determined by the first set. After dropping the first set to the Buffaloes 25-23, the Sun Devils didn’t fall into their pattern. Instead, they racked up 81 digs, consistently countered Colorado’s strong blockers with clever and keen ball placement on attacks and came away with a season-best performance in blocks.
Entering the match, the Sun Devils knew they faced a competitive team at the net. The Buffaloes, who led the Big 12 with blocks, tested ASU early in the opening frame, establishing a strong defensive presence with four net stops.
“We were just trying to remind our hitters of the areas on the court that were open,” Coach JJ Van Niel said. “I talk a lot about working smarter, not harder.”
The Sun Devils not only exploited those open spots, but they also countered with a season-high 15 blocks. Five came in the last set of a competitive stretch.
Halfway through the first set, fourth-year Ella Lomigora stuffed a back-row attack from Colorado after perfectly timing her solo block, causing the ball to sink directly to the floor.
“We have gotten more personal with it,” Third-year middle Zoey Burgess said, who led the team with a career-high seven blocks. “We want to protect our net, and we want to stop every single ball.”
While ASU’s blocking seemed crucial defensively, the Sun Devils found ways to break through Colorado’s defense offensively, using cunning ball placement and attacking open areas of the court to keep the Buffaloes on their toes.
“We knew that they’re good blockers, and we also knew they were gonna leave the middle of the court open,” Clinton said after a double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs.
Recognizing those openings let ASU vary its attacks rather than repeatedly challenging Colorado’s blockers head-on. By playing the ball into uncovered areas, ASU seemed to take advantage of the space created.
Hitters like Clinton were not the only Sun Devils able to make quick plays that forced the Buffaloes to add another tally to the error column.
During a gritty, prolonged rally, Faith Frame sent a ball to setter Elle Mottola, who brought it within inches of the net. Instead of delivering a set to one of her hitters, she instinctively pushed the ball deep to the left side of the court. The single backcourt defender was left stranded, watching helplessly as the ball dropped just out of reach, sealing another point for the Sun Devils.
“A kill is a kill.” Clinton commented.
ASU’s offensive execution extended beyond finding open space. With the score tied at 22-22 in the fourth, Una Vayagic received a tall set from Isabella Constantini. Vayagic rocketed through the air, and flawlessly dissected the block from the Buffaloes, causing her to pound the ball full of momentum to the floor.
While the Sun Devils’ hitters found ways to put the ball away, their defensive effort kept rallies alive and gave the offense more opportunities to score.
“JJ talked about smothering people defensively,” Clinton said. “We want to make that our identity as we keep going in Big 12 play.”
Against Colorado, ASU tracked an average of about 20 digs per set through the match. Entering the arena, the Sun Devils ‘ season average was not even thirteen digs per set.
Frame, who led the team with 17 digs, was praised by her teammates.
“I’m in awe,” Burgess said, laughing. “Sometimes I turn around from the block and I’m like, ‘Wow, that was amazing, let me transition now.’”
Frame’s defensive presence helped extend rallies and gave ASU additional opportunities to transition from defense to offense. Her performance reflected the emphasis on “smothering” the Buffaloes defensively.
With timely blocks, smart offensive decisions and a relentless defensive effort, ASU found ways to respond in key moments and secure the 3-1 victory over Colorado.
Looking forward, the Sun Devils are gearing up to face a No. 8-ranked TCU in front of a home crowd at Desert Financial Arena. Ranking 7th nationally in kills per set and carrying the momentum of an 11-game win streak, TCU will enter the arena with an elite attack that will provide a massive test for the Sun Devils on their own floor.
“We know who we are,” Clinton said. “And we can compete with anyone.”
