(Photo: Travis David V Whittaker/WCSN)
The Arizona State volleyball team (13-8, 5-5 Pac-12) travels to the Rocky Mountains this weekend to kick off November’s slate of opponents. First, the Devils face the Utah Utes on Friday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m., a team that proved to be a formidable challenge for ASU earlier in the season. During their Oct. 6 match-up in Tempe, the Sun Devils were swept by the Utes in three sets.
Next, the Sun Devils will head east to take on the Colorado Buffaloes, who they previously managed to beat 3-1 at home on Oct. 4. After a four-game losing skid, the Sun Devils have since rallied to put together an impressive three-game winning streak, including two back-to-back 0-2 comebacks versus Washington State and Oregon. Here is a preview of the weekend:
No. 17 Utah (14-7, 6-4 Pac-12)
The Utes come into Friday’s match-up having dropped three of their last four games to ranked opponents, with their most recent home loss to No. 24 Washington State. However, all but one of the five sets played against the Huskies were decided by a margin of two points.
Junior outside hitter Dani Drews recorded a game-leading 31 kills. She currently leads the team in that category with 373 on the season, while also ranking first in aces (23) and third in digs (179).
Earlier this season, Drews also passed the 1,000 career kill mark against California, making her only the 17th player in Utah history to accomplish the feat.
Friday’s game will be streamed on Pac-12 Network.
Colorado (8-12, 0-10 Pac-12)
The Buffaloes will face the Sun Devils for their fourth straight home game following a match-up against the Arizona Wildcats on Nov. 1. The Buffs haven’t won a game since their Sep. 21 match-up against the Campbell Fighting Camels and have lost all 10 of their Pac-12 conference appearances.
Colorado is headlined by senior outside hitter Justine Spann, who ranks first in kills (273) and service aces (21), third in digs (144) and assists (10), and fifth in blocks (27.0).
Spann’s 310.5 points on the season also lead the Buffs. The next closest player, freshman middle blocker Sterling Parker, has 187.5.
Viewers can catch Sunday’s game via Colorado’s live stream.
Outlook
The Sun Devils only boast one road win in conference play in 2019. However, they will look to capitalize on the momentum of their last three home wins. Their most recent game against Oregon State saw the team hit a season-high .340 clip, with senior outside hitter Jada Burse finding her stride with nine kills.
“I’m really excited where this team is going,” outside hitter Jada Burse told the media after the win. “I’m not surprised at all because I knew the potential we had starting. We have so much to give, too. We’re constantly on an uprise so I’m excited for the rest of the Pac-12.”
For the first time since 2015, the Devils find themselves competing for a spot in the NCAA tournament. Their upcoming road schedule will prove crucial in determining if this year’s squad can be the team to end ASU’s playoff drought.
