ASU Volleyball: Inconsistency hampers Sun Devils

(Photo: Travis David V Whittaker/WCSN)

Arizona State head coach Sanja Tomasevic has been trying to get her team to learn. She shared that “it’s been a big challenge” trying to teach her players how to own their mistakes instead of running away from them.

“Love them. Embrace them. Fix them,” she’s told her team.

The past six matches have been a roller coaster of ups and downs for Arizona State. The team has shifted from a three-match winning streak to a three-match losing streak highlighting their inconsistency in conference play. And it may be that the Sun Devils’ mistakes, in practices and games, are a contributing factor to their whirlwind season.

Senior libero Courtney Leffel spoke candidly in the post-game press conference after the Sun Devils were swept by No. 5 Stanford.

“We have a lot of growing up to do,” Leffel said.

It is important to note that Arizona State’s winning and losing streaks have involved ranked teams on both sides. Not only have they lost to ranked teams, but the Sun Devils have also managed to take out ranked teams in the Pac-12. Meanwhile, ASU has also managed to be defeated by teams that they were expected to, and quite frankly should’ve beaten.

“It’s your work ethic, your attention to detail that’s going to get you to the next level,” Tomasevic said Thursday night.

The Devils head coach explained that the team is struggling with details as they aspire to reach the next level, which may explain both their shocking wins and losses.

The Sun Devils’ winning streak consisted of both of the Oregon schools as well as No. 21 Washington State. Both Oregon and Oregon State had a 2-6 record in conference play when they faced the Sun Devils. Their records were right under Arizona State’s 3-5 conference record so it was expected that the matches would be close, yet the Sun Devils surprisingly swept both of the Oregon schools with no problem.

What was even more surprising was Arizona State’s match against No. 21 Washington State, where their three-game winning streak began. After a loss against a ranked Washington squad, it was assumed that the Sun Devils would continue to lose to the Cougars since they were also a ranked team; however, Arizona State shocked many as they beat the Cougars in a nail-biting five-set match.

Arizona State’s three consecutive losses included two ranked teams, No. 17 Utah and No. 5 Stanford, in addition to Colorado, last-place in the Pac-12. Although the Sun Devils lost to Utah, their loss was executed in an unexpected manner. This was a match that should’ve been a sweep for the Utes, yet the Sun Devils prolonged the match to five-sets — which would scare any team since fifth sets are known for their unpredictable outcomes.

“We played really well against Utah on the road,” Tomasevic said.

Most recently, Stanford also defeated the Sun Devils. In the Sun Devils sweep against Stanford, ASU showed snippets of a solid performance. Continuing their theme of inconsistency this season, Arizona State lost to Colorado, a team they had already beaten earlier in the season.

The victory against No. 21 Washington State proved that the Sun Devils are capable of beating a ranked team. Even their prolonged five-set match against Utah displayed their competitiveness, despite the ultimate outcome. Yet, their mistakes are constantly holding them back.

Nevertheless, Tomasevic maintains a positive mindset looking forward.

“We’ll get there,” Tomasevic said. “I have faith in our girls.”