(Photo: Courtney Pedroza/WCSN)
No. 5 Arizona State will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season against No. 6 Washington when it takes on the Washington State Cougars this Sunday.
In the game against the Huskies ASU suffered a loss not only on its formerly unblemished record, but as a team. During the game’s second set, senior outside hitter Macey Gardner went down with an injury to her left leg. If the Sun Devils want to turn around after the loss, they will have to come together as a team and figure out some way to win in the absence of Gardner. The team stated she would be out of Sunday’s game as a precaution until the team doctors can take a look at her on Monday.
If ASU wants to win, it will have to rely on the leadership of senior setter Bianca Arellano and freshman setter Kylie Pickrell. The Sun Devil offense, at a glance, revolves around the leadership of Gardner. Without her on the court, the ASU setters are going to have to find another target who can make up the amount of kills ASU is losing with Gardner off of the court.
That person would hypothetically be junior outside hitter Cassidy Pickrell is going to have to step in to fill the hole left behind by Gardner. Pickrell is the other starting outside hitter, opposite of Gardner. This season, Pickrell is averaging 2.70 kills per set and has 146 kills. It is a big hole to fill, though, as Gardner has a total of 205 kills on the season.
ASU will also have to rely heavily on the play of its middle blockers. Both seniors now, Mercedes Binns and Whitney Follette have led ASU into becoming one of the top blocking teams in the nation. Follette is averaging 1.38 blocks per set while Binns is averaging .90 per set. Also, the Sun Devils get help up front by junior right side BreElle Bailey, who is averaging 1.15 blocks per set on the season.
The Cougars come into this game with a 12-5 record on the season, and they will not be an easy matchup for the Sun Devils. The Cougars are the prime example of what Pac-12 play can do to a team. On the outside, the Cougars boast a good record on the season, but look a little into it and the Cougars are currently 1-4 in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils will look to be the fifth blemish on that record.
Washington State will look to capitalize on a Gardner-less ASU. It will be live streamed via the Pac-12 Networks.
If you have any questions or comments, you can reach Jacob Franklin on twitter @Jacob_Franklin4 or via email at jacobfranklin093@gmail.com
