(Photo: Trey Lanthier/WCSN)
The Arizona State Sun Devils have continued their undefeated start to the season with another straight-sets sweep. Today’s victims were the Penguins of Youngstown State.
Today’s three-game sweep also means ASU has yet to drop a set out of the 21 they have played in 2013.
Outside hitters BreElle Bailey and Macey Gardner led the way for the Devils, racking up 10 kills apiece. Bailey had a team-high .389 hitting percentage in the contest.
Middle blocker Mercedes Binns had one of her most productive matches of the year as well, putting up six kills of her own.
In the first set, the Devils struggled to put Youngstown State away. They had a 19-12 lead before letting Youngstown turn the would-be blowout into a much narrower 25-21 victory for ASU.
Arizona State flipped on the switch in the second set and imposed their will on the Penguins, coasting to a final score of 25-11. Back-up setter Shannan McCready had two of her three service aces in the second set to spark a Sun Devils’ 6-1 run.
The third set was back and forth, but the Sun Devils pulled out another 25-21 set to complete the sweep and keep their streak alive.
The Penguins helped the Sun Devils to victory with 20 attacking errors and a hitting percentage of .124. This attributed to Gardner’s four-game streak of having at least 19 kills coming to an end.
Starting setter Bianca Arellano dished out 29 assists and libero Stephanie Preach had 18 digs for the Sun Devils.
The Sun Devils will take on the No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini tomorrow at 10 a.m., and then they’ll face the defending national champion, No. 2 Texas Longhorns.
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email zacpacleb@gmail.com.
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