ASU Volleyball: Pac-12 conference preview

(Photo: Blake Bernard/WCSN)

When it comes down to it, Pac-12 volleyball could be, and should be, listed as the most competitive division in all of college volleyball. Barring those who would like to make their own Big 10 reference in that spot.

Any team from the Pac-12 can play competitively with any opponent. That is exampled by all 12 of the teams having an above .500 record coming into conference play.

Here is a quick breakdown of the teams:

Stanford Cardinal (7-2 overall, 1-0 conference)

A perennial powerhouse in the conference, Stanford comes into the season with something to prove. Last year, redshirt senior middle blocker Inky Ajanaku had to miss the entire season due to a knee injury she sustained playing with the US women’s national team. Ajanaku’s return has already been felt for the Cardinal as she is tied for the team lead in kills with 97. Pair her with redshirt junior middle blocker Merete Lutz, who stands at 6-foot-8, and new freshman middle blocker Audriana Fitzmorris, who leads the team in blocks with 60, the Cardinal look like the team to beat.

No. 4 Washington Huskies (10-0 overall, 0-0 conference)

The Huskies took second in Pac-12 last year, only behind the titan that was the University of Southern California. This year does not look much different for Washington, which has only dropped six of its 36 sets on the season. The offense is a balanced one, with three players totaling over 110 kills this year, including team leader, junior outside hitter Courtney Schwan. She had 127 kills through preseason.

No. 9 UCLA Bruins (9-1 overall, 0-0 conference)

The Bruins do not get enough credit for the type of team they are because they have to play in the same state as the Trojans. However, UCLA did finish fourth in conference play last year, and should be able to impress this year. There is a lot of mix between old and young on the team, but the Bruins return seniors at key positions. This includes senior outside hitter Jordan Anderson, who has 117 kills on the year. Also, redshirt junior setter Ryann Chandler has been brilliant thus far, accumulating 371 assists. The Bruins won’t go down easy, and are a conference title contender.

Washington State Cougars (10-2 overall, 0-0 conference)

It was an impressive preseason for the Cougars, but the same thing happened last year. The Cougars came into conference play with a record of 11-1, and finished with a record of 16-16. WSU runs a 6-2 offensive system led by setters junior Nicole Rigoni and senior Haley MacDonald, who each have 218 assists. Senior outside hitter Kyra Holt has picked up where she left off last year and has put down 150 kills so far this year. For now, it is unknown how conference play will treat the Cougars this year, but so far they have impressed. Even though they are not in the top 25, the team still has been receiving votes.

Utah Utes (9-2 overall, 0-0 conference)

Utah has been one of the more surprising Pac-12 teams to experience success, getting close to a national rank. After finishing last season with a record of 10-21 something had to change for the Utes. One thing that has surely helped is junior outside hitter Adora Anae. It seems like Anae has become a force to be reckoned with. Already through the Utes’ first 11 games, Anae has 194 kills, and is putting up a 4.73 kills per set clip, which is good for ninth in the country. Utah is an interesting team to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.

No. 16 Colorado Buffaloes (8-2 overall, 0-0 conference)

Last season the Buffaloes were snubbed from a bid into the NCAA tournament at the end of the year. That was because they got out to a slow start at the beginning of the year. This season, Colorado is leaving nothing to chance. CU is led by sophomore outside hitter Alexa Smith and sophomore middle blocker Naghede Abu. Last year, Abu played really well in conference play, and this season she leads the team in blocks with 58. Smith leads the team in kills with 132. The Buffaloes will be looking to find their way into the tournament this year.

No. 24 Oregon Ducks (7-2 overall, 0-0 conference)

The Ducks could be a dark horse contender for the Pac-12 title. The team as a whole is a scrappy defensive team with no one really shining above anyone else. The Ducks have yet to see a player eclipse the 100 kill mark, but are efficient with their hitting, as they have combined for a hitting percentage of .312. Oregon might also have one of the best liberoes in the country with senior libero Amanda Benson, who has 145 digs, and is almost averaging five digs per set. Keep an eye on the Ducks.

No. 21 USC Trojans (8-3 overall, 0-0 conference)

At the beginning of the season, the Trojans were picked to fall first place in the Pac-12. Then what did the Trojans do? They came out and lost their first three games; however, they have responded in a big way winning their last eight before Pac-12 play starts. USC lost the national player of the year in former outside hitter Samantha Briccio, but replaced her with freshman outside hitter Khalia Lanier who has not let the team down. Lanier, a product out of Arizona, has put up 151 kills on the year, which is 63 more than the next highest on the team. Even though the 8-3 record does not look great, the Trojans should be just fine.

University of Arizona Wildcats (8-4 overall, 0-0 conference)

Last season, the Wildcats made the tournament, but took an early exit in the first round. This year, U of A returns players with more experience and could put up a fight against any team in conference. To lead the returners is senior setter Penina Snuka, who is one of the most fun players to watch in the Pac-12. Snuka runs the offense by herself and has 391 assists. Her two favorite targets are outside hitters, sophomore Kendra Dahlke and senior Kalei Mau. Dahlke has been particularly impressive, notching 168 kills at a 4.10 kills per set rate. The Wildcats look poised to potentially make a run this season.

Oregon State Beavers (7-4 overall, 0-0 conference)

Even though the record may be favorable, the Beavers did not play a particularly hard preseason schedule, barring one game against the No. 1 team in the country, Nebraska. That game in which OSU would be swept, never putting up more than 16 points. The Beavers finished second to last in the conference last year, but so far have more wins than last season. OSU features two impressive outside hitters in junior Mary-Kate Marshall and redshirt sophomore Lanesha Reagan. They have 156 and 160 kills on the year, respectively.

Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5 overall, 0-0 conference)

After an offseason of turnover, including hiring a new head coach and adding 10 new faces to the roster, ASU is in an interesting place. So far, the Sun Devils have exceeded most people’s expectations, as they were picked to finish 11^th in the Pac-12. Head coach Stevie Mussie came in and immediately began building a new team. She brought over two important transfers in junior middle blocker Oluoma Okaro and senior outside hitter Maya McClendon. Pair those two with senior outside hitter Cassidy Pickrell and sophomore setter Kylie Pickrell and the team looks like it could surprise some critics.

California Golden Bears (6-5 overall, 0-1 conference)

The Golden Bears finished last in the Pac-12 last season, and are still in the midst of trying to figure things out. California does have one large bright spot though in senior setter Alyssa Jensen who is the top Pac-12 setter at the moment. She ranks 44^th in the nation with a total of 497 assists. The offense is spread out nicely for the Golden Bears, as they have three players with over 100 kills. For now, they do not seem like a contender, but things can always change.

Where the conference stands at the moment, there are six Pac-12 teams in the AVCA coaches poll top-25 rankings. There are also two more teams receiving votes to get in.

It should be an interesting season of conference play out on the west coast, but that is nothing new for these teams.

If you have any questions or comments, you can contact Jacob Franklin via Twitter @JFrankSports or via email at jacobfranklin093@gmail.com.