ASU Volleyball: Oregon preview

(Photo: Blake Benard/WCSN)

After two heartbreaking five-set losses to the Southern California schools, the Arizona State Sun Devils travel to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks.

The Ducks come in at 14-13 overall and 8-10 in Pac-12 play having just gotten swept by the No. 2 Washington Huskies.

For the Ducks offense to be efficient, everything has to run through sophomore setter Maggie Scott. On the year Scott, is seventh in conference averaging 9.85 assists. She handles the majority of the setting for the Ducks and is paramount to their offense.

The two best hitters she’s feeding are senior outside hitter Martenne Bettendorf and junior outside hitter Lindsey Vander Weide. Bettendorf is the Ducks leading hitter averaging 3.46 per set while Vander Weide supplements her with 3.21 of her own.

One aspect of Oregon the Sun Devils should look to exploit is their defense, specifically their blocking.

The Ducks are currently second to last in the Pac-12 in blocks per set. For ASU, who recently played a much better blocking team in USC, outside hitters junior Cassidy Pickrell and freshman Lexi MacLean should be able to find a lot more holes on their swings.

Production from the left side will be key for the Sun Devils in this match. At times, the Sun Devil offense will be too right side heavy with junior BreElle Bailey and senior Whitney Follette carrying the bulk of the load. The play of Pickrell and MacLean will even out the offense and provide much needed balance.

The Sun Devils should also be able to continue their recent trend of once again becoming a dominant defensive team.

ASU is just three one-hundredths of a block away from leading the Pac-12 in that category. The Sun Devils are currently seventh in the nation in blocks at 2.99 per set.

The Sun Devils are still seeking their 20th win of the season and have their sights set on a fourth straight NCAA tournament. The match against the Ducks is at 9 p.m and can be seen on the University of Oregon Live Stream.

`

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post

Andre Simms

Recent Posts

Sun Devils Bring Record-Breaking Fire to First Day of GAC Invitational

(Photo: Casey McNulty/Sun Devil Athletics) Arizona State brought its full force toward day one of…

11 minutes ago

Sun Devils have all around performance in 93-89 win over Cal Poly

(Photo: Maya Diaz/WCSN) TEMPE-Arizona State men's basketball entered this game shorthanded. With junior guard Austin…

1 day ago

Sun Devils score 90, avoid scare in win over Cal Poly

(Photo: Maya Diaz/WCSN) TEMPE — Entering Wednesday night’s matchup against Cal Poly, Arizona State basketball…

1 day ago

No. 9 Sun Devils one winning weekend away from Big 12 Champions

(Photo: Aubrie McMillan/WCSN) Arizona State Volleyball is coming off a successful road trip to West…

1 day ago

Sun Devil Swim and Dive Gears Up for East Coast Showdown at GAC Invitational

(Photo: Casey McNulty/Sun Devil Athletics) Arizona State is back in action in Greensboro, North Carolina,…

2 days ago

Gold team prevails MGWS game one 3-1 win over Maroon

(Photo: Austin Hurst/WCSN) The Gold team’s spirtis were as high as the gold sun in…

2 days ago