(Photo via Joseph Plishka/WCSN)
Arizona State Women’s Volleyball easily cruised to victory in their season opener against CSU Bakersfield Friday afternoon, taking down the Roadrunners 3-0 in the second match of the inaugural Webb-Burbridge Classic.
It was a match full of anticipation for head coach Sanja Tomasevic and the Sun Devils, who finished last season with a 14-17 (7-13 Pac-12 Conference) overall record.
“It’s something we’ve been preparing for the entire spring and summer,” Tomasevic said. “It’s good to see the girls come out strong today.”
With a lack of continuity, experience and chemistry last season, ASU seems rejuvenated to start the new year with a roster full of veteran returners.
“We knew there was investment [in this program],” Tomasevic said. “We knew everybody was coming back, and it’s good to see them grow. It’s good to see them mature.”
Sophomore outside hitter Geli Cyr – who had a strong freshman season in 2021 – picked up where she left off in the afternoon. The Texas native had just one attack error along with 12 kills, just two shy of the single-game high she set last season.
“I just feel so comfortable, not only with the girls on the court, but the girls on the bench,” Cyr said. “I know that the minute one of them comes in I can trust them. That’s something I didn’t really feel last year.”
Cyr also said that the continuity and workouts over the summer have helped her put more trust in her teammates and herself, shaping the Sun Devils into a cohesive and confident unit.
That’s been a recurring theme throughout the locker room to start this season.
“I like our chances against any team if we take care of our side of the net,” Tomasevic said. “I said [to the team], ‘I’m not afraid of anybody but ourselves.’”
The Sun Devils relied upon the familiar faces of junior outside hitter Marta Levinska and senior outside hitter Iman Isanovic to deliver once again. Levinska added 12 kills and two assists, while Isanovic collected four kills, three digs, two assists and one set ace.
Though, it was two lesser known names – sophomore middle blocker Andi Kreiling and sophomore libero Jaden Ravsnborg – that stepped to lead ASU to victory.
“We expected [Kreiling] to be doing what she’s doing,” Tomasevic said. “None of this is a surprise to us, but she was my pre-season team MVP. She crushed it just competing in our gym.”
Kreiling notched three kills with a hit percentage of .600.
Ravnsborg didn’t disappoint in her Sun Devil debut, with the Kansas State transfer recording 12 digs and five assists.
“I thought it was amazing,” Ravnsborg said. “It feels like home here, and I love playing with all the girls. They’ve been so welcoming and it’s been such a smooth transition.”
Ravnsborg was named the starter over senior libero Annika Larson-Nummer to start the new season. Tomasevic said that although she isn’t starting, the veteran hasn’t been discouraged.
“Anni was the best teammate today on the bench,” Tomasevic said. “She was getting the bench going, and all that. She got beat out by Jaden, so far … we compete during the week, and on the weekend we’re each other’s biggest cheerleaders.”
The Sun Devils open the season 1-0 with a chance to win the Webb-Burbridge Classic with victories over Northern Iowa and Toledo later in the weekend.
