ASU Volleyball: Pickrell, Koonts and MacLean helping Sun Devils stay afloat

(Photo: Courtney Pedroza/WCSN)

 

In a matter of three weeks, No. 14 Arizona State has gone from a team with the same starting lineup as a year ago to one that starts three freshmen and a senior who is playing a position for the first time at the collegiate level.

That lineup was at full strength and stride last weekend as ASU snapped its four-match losing streak, defeating Utah and Colorado to stay undefeated in Wells Fargo Arena.

Part of that success stems from more comfort in the shifted lineup, but part of it also is a result of strong play from the trio freshmen: setter Kylie Pickrell, outside hitter Lexi MacLean and middle blocker Jasmine Koonts.

Pickrell has been a focal point for ASU’s switch to the 6-2 system, which has allowed ASU to rank 10th in the country in blocks per set (2.98) and hold opponents to a .151 hitting percentage.

With senior outside hitter Macey Gardner out for the season and junior opposite Kizzy Ricedorff out for an undetermined amount of time, Pickrell is now tasked with setting MacLean and Koonts, and those two are beginning to find their respective grooves.

Koonts is coming off her best two matches at ASU. Against Utah and Colorado, the Houston-native tallied 10 kills on 19 swings with just one errors. She also held her own on defense with four solo blocks and three block assists.

“I don’t think she knows, yet, what she’s doing all the time,” ASU head coach Jason Watson said following ASU’s win over Colorado. “I don’t think her eyes are where they need to be to be able to respond to some stuff, and you see that every now and again, but the only way she’s going to get better at that stuff is doing what she did tonight.”

Watson mentioned that the plan was to always start Koonts when the lineup changes were made, but a concussion suffered in practice last week held her back from making starts against No. 1 USC and No. 8 UCLA. The freshman is getting much more comfortable adjusting to the speed of Pac-12 play.

“I’m just trying to watch the ball, watch the hitter, and then once it comes to our side, watch and then go,” Koonts said. “It’s way fast, but in your mind you got to make it slow, and then follow it.”

While ASU searches to rediscover balance on its offense, Koonts’ development is critical in making that happen, and the ever-growing chemistry with Pickrell is visibly improving with each match.

“Those two (Pickrell and Koonts) connect really well and have,” Watson said. “We’re continuing to nurture that.”

MacLean’s development is equally if not more critical for the Sun Devils as she settles in at outside hitter. After being pulled out of a planned redshirt season, MacLean has consistently showed flashes of power on the left side, averaging 1.75 kills per set.

“I think she’s (MacLean) doing OK,” Watson said. “I know she’s not pleased with that line in terms of her hitting efficiency, and I know she’s going to get better, but I got to think that this is the start and not the end.”

Not only has MacLean had to adjust her mindset from redshirting to playing, she is also doing something she has never done before.

“This is the first Lexi has passed (in serve receive),” Watson said. “She didn’t come to Arizona State as a passer. She came as a right side or a middle, and now she’s passing. That’s a big job.”

Although MacLean’s statline isn’t eye-popping, she has provided ASU with a powerful option on the left-side, and almost more importantly, her attitude on the court isn’t lost on her teammates.

“Lexi’s energy she brings to the court is just super encouraging,” senior Whitney Follette said. “We need it to just get our momentum going.”

The Sun Devils understandably hit a rough spot of play upon losing Gardner and Ricedorff, but winning two matches at home allowed the team to recover and find a new formula of success while starting three freshmen.

“Their confidence as freshmen is remarkable,” junior opposite BreElle Bailey said. “It’s unbelieveable. For them to be able to come in – especially Lexi being pulled out of a redshirt – coming in unexpectedly and being able to step up like that, and Jasmine being able to step up as well, it’s been amazing.”

Rarely is a top-15 team forced to completely reconfigure a starting rotation midway through conference season, but that is exactly what ASU is doing, and last weekend’s performances bode well going forward.

“The trickle down of everything, it’s really become – it’s not a soap opera but it’s like trying to keep up with the Kardashians,” Watson said. “There’s just a lot of moving pieces going on. It’s just hard, and the team is handling it really, really well.”

ASU now stands at 6-4 in Pac-12 play, good for fifth in the conference. Following its 4-0 start to the conference season and all that has happened in the last three weeks, the Sun Devils seem to be very much alive in the race for a hosting position in the NCAA Tournament, which goes to the top-16 teams. Even with fluidity in its starting rotation and several players still getting comfortable in those spots, ASU is confident moving forward.

“We’re one step closer,” Watson said. “I think we can still achieve a lot of things with this team. I still think we’re going to get better as we get more comfortable with it, and winning is much, much more pleasant than not winning, so that helps too.”
You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com

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