(Photo: Jacob Franklin/WCSN)
The Sun Devils round out their, what seems like forever, road trip on Saturday as they have to take on the (10-2) Utah Utes.
On Wednesday, the Sun Devils fell to rival University of Arizona in four sets. The Wildcats opened up Pac-12 competition with season and career-high numbers.
Despite recording 54 digs and 27 total blocks, the Sun Devils defense could not slow down Kendra Dahlke and Katarina Pilepic who put up career high numbers in kills.
The team finishes off their season-opening 14-game road trip on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
The Utes finished last season with only 10 wins. This year, they have picked up 10 wins in their first 12 matches.
They’re one of four teams in the Pac-12 with 10 or more wins and are starting to receive some national recognition, with a win over No. 16 Colorado last Wednesday.
A large part of the Utes success stems from junior outside hitter Adora Anae. She has recorded 221 total kills and averages 4.8 kills per set, which rank 20th and 9th in the country respectively. Anae leads her team on the defensive front as well.
This Saturday will be one of the few times the Sun Devils stature is not a disadvantage. The teams have a comparable average roster height.
ASU is also on its longest losing streak this season after dropping three in a row to Portland State, Boise State, and Arizona.
The solid mental strength of the Arizona State team should support a rebound performance against Utah.
Standout performances by role players senior outside hitter Cassidy Pickrell and junior middle blocker Oluma Okaro are another two favorable signs for the Sun Devils.
C. Pickrell recorded her fourth double-double of the season with a season-high 20 kills as well as 13 digs. Okaro led the defense with a career-high 10 blocks against the Wildcats.
The second match in Arizona State’s Pac-12 schedule against Utah will take place Saturday at 7:00pm.
If you have any questions or comments, you can contact Delilah Cassidy via Twitter @delilah_cassidy or via email at delilahcassidy@gmail.com.
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