ASU sinks Pepperdine in final non-conference game

(Photo: Ava Montoya/WCSN)

In the third and final match of the Residence Inn Invitational, the No. 18 Arizona State Sun Devils completed a sweep of the Pepperdine Waves (25-21, 25-21, 25-23) to finish the tournament with a 2-1 record.

“It took us a while to get anything going in the match,” head coach Jason Watson said. “I thought the superb play of Macey Gardner eventually carried us to a win.”

With the ever-challenging Pac-12 conference play set to get under way next week, the Sun Devils used this weekend as a tune up as they get ready for the grueling schedule on the horizon.

“We open with four on the road and that’s tough,” explained Watson. “The short week before we face Arizona is another hurdle we must face.”

The Sun Devils came out firing early, building a 15-11 lead, led by junior middle blocker Mercedes Binns and her powerful three kills. Pepperdine could not seem to get into a flow on offense, as they were held to 9 kills and a measly .176 hitting percentage in the set.

ASU was paced by outside hitter Macey Gardner, who finished with 4 kills in the set and finished with 15 kills.

Pepperdine would try to orchestrate a late comeback, cutting the lead to 23-21, but it was futile as Gardner’s thunderous kill followed by a serve ace completed a first set win.

The second set started as a back-and-forth battle. Neither team could get a firm grasp of the lead as there were 12 tie scores and five lead changes.

The Sun Devils’ .417 hitting percentage was the difference maker however, as ASU kept up their offense dominance on their way to a second set victory, 25-21. Senior setter Shannon McCready was a big factor defensively, coming up with crucial plays to keep the Sun Devils alive.

“In set two, the play of Shannon McCready was huge,” Watson said. “She made three digs that enabled us to keep in it.”

Binns was a towering defensive force, accumulating 5 blocks and preventing Pepperdine from getting back into the match.

The Waves would try to compete and survive in the third set on the back of sophomore outside hitter Jillian Bergeson, who finished with 12 kills, but the experience of Gardner and the Sun Devils was too much to overcome as they cruise to seal the third set, 25-23, and complete the victory.

“Macey (Gardner) was really really good in set three when we needed her to be,” Watson said. “She is carrying this heavy load for us, passing the ball well, and clearly garnering a lot of attention from the opposing defense.”

The win propels ASU to a 4-5 record all-time against Pepperdine and a 10-2 record on the season so far.

Starting off their Pac-12 season without Whitney Follette will be hard to overcome but Watson believes that they are ready for the challenge.

“We are in the right place. I feel good about where we are at.”

ASU has a short turn-around, returning to action on Wednesday, Sept. 24, when they travel to Tucson to take on Pac-12 rival No. 20 Arizona.

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