(Photo: Sun Devil Volleyball)
ASU volleyball started off the season on a strong note after sweeping the Utah Valley Wolverines in three sets in their season opener.
Bianca Arellano, the sophomore transfer from Tennessee, won the competition for the starting job over Palmer. The setter put stats up across the board with an impressive 32 assists, 10 digs, and even contributed three blocks.
“Once we got it going, it was downhill from there. The team was really fired up, and we took care of it from there,” Arellano said.
Freshman BreElle Bailey stepped up after earning a starting role, as she tied teammate Macey Gardner for the most kills in the match with 13. She also had an outstanding match-best .550 hit percentage on the night.
“It was so much fun. There was so much intensity,” Bailey said after the opening win. “I’ve been working hard for this, and I plan on moving forward from here, and I just want to keep getting better and better.”
In the first set, the two teams traded points back and forth, but mistakes were nearly costly as eight of the Wolverines’ 16 points to start off the set were scored on Sun Devil errors.
The second and third sets went much more smoothly for ASU, as the team began to dismantle the Wolverines’ early momentum. While Utah Valley kept it relatively close throughout the second set, the Devils put them away late.
You can reach Trey Lanthier on Twitter @TreyLanthier or by email treylanthier@gmail.com.
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