(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
For the first time since Sept. 16, 2016, the Arizona State Sun Devils (12-4, 3-1) picked up a win against a ranked opponent, defeating No. 12 Oregon (9-5, 2-2) in three sets on Sunday (25-23, 25-22, 25-22). The Sun Devils opened the weekend with a win over Oregon State (10-6, 0-4) in three sets (25-22, 25-16, 25-19).
After grabbing an early two-set lead over the nationally-ranked Ducks, the Sun Devils fell behind in the third set, 12-8. Arizona State was able to even up the set at 19 apiece, before going on a 4-0 run of their own to take a 23-19 lead. While the Ducks were able to defend match point the first time, the Sun Devils second attempt was successful as Ivana Jeremic sent home her match-leading 16th kill.
With sophomore setter Shelbie Dobmeier out of the lineup this weekend, Nicole Peterson and Callie Jones helped lead the Sun Devil offense. Peterson accumulated 41 assists over the course of the two Sun Devil wins, while Jones tallied 35.
Jeremic tallied double-doubles in both ASU wins, totaling 11 kills and 14 digs against the Beavers, along with 16 kills and 12 digs against the Ducks.
Defensively, the Sun Devils were able to hold both the Beavers and Ducks under a .200 hitting percentage. Oregon State had a .149 hitting percentage, while Oregon hit .189 against ASU. The win against the Ducks extends the Sun Devils conference winning streak to three games. It’s the first winning streak of three games or more for Arizona State since the Sun Devils opened Pac-12 play 4-0 during the 2015 season.
Arizona State returns to Tempe this week for a home stand against the Washington State Cougars (11-3, 2-2) and Washington Huskies (11-3, 3-1). The Cougars and Sun Devils square off on Friday night at 8 p.m. On Sunday, Arizona State plays Washington at 12 p.m.
