ASU Volleyball: Washington preview

(Photo: Kaley Kurowski/WCSN)

No. 20 Arizona State puts its perfect home record on the line as it takes on the No. 3 Washington Huskies.

The Huskies come in at 20-2 with a huge win over then-No. 1 USC. They currently lead the Pac-12 in both hitting percentage and opponent hitting percentage with figures of .312 and .134, respectively.

There are numerous players to lookout for on the Huskies. First is senior middle blocker Lianna Sybeldon. Sybeldon leads the nation in hitting percentage at .487. Sybeldon also plays incredibly well defensively and is averaging 1.35 blocks per set.

In addition to Sybeldon, sophomore outside hitter Courtney Schwan is having an outstanding season for the Huskies. She leads the Huskies in kills and kills per set.

The Sun Devils come in having lost their last two matches to the Northern California teams.

In those matches, something that plagued the Sun Devils was their inability to maintain consistency throughout the length of the match.

ASU head coach Jason Watson talked about how part of that inconsistency lies within serve receive. Washington is third in the Pac-12 in aces per set, and sophomore outside hitter Tia Scambray has the second best individual average at .34 per set.

Consistency will be key for the Sun Devils as they face a team that will capitalize on any mistake they make, and the play of the outside hitters junior Cassidy Pickrell and freshman Lexi MacLean will be imperative.

Those two will have to step up in order for the Sun Devils to succeed in this match. The offensive production has been dominated by the right sides, and if Pickrell and MacLean can play at a high level it will provide much needed balance.

Additionally for the Sun Devils, senior Whitney Follette will be key. Not only will the team need her offense, but her defense will play a big role in stopping the Husky offense. Follette averages 1.27 blocks per set, good for fifth in the Pac-12.

Washington swept the Sun Devils in the first matchup this season in Seattle.

First serve for the match is set for 8 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena and will be live on the Pac-12 Network.

Use Facebook to Comment on this Post