Gardner, Sun Devils cruise past Redhawks

(Photo: Sun Devil Volleyball)

The Arizona State volleyball team cruised to a three set victory over Seattle University Friday afternoon in Spokane.

The Sun Devils were ahead early and often, en route to a 25-13 first set win.

Macey Gardner led the way for the Sun Devils from the outset. The outside hitter had six kills with zero hitting errors and five digs in the first set alone, and Mercedes Binns added three kills and three blocks. Sophomore setter Bianca Arellano had three big blocks in the first set to go along with her 11 assists and seems to be building better chemistry with Binns.

“We continue to work that relationship. I think it’s an important one,” head coach Jason Watson said. “We feel like there is a return on it as far as scoring points and it started out really quite nicely.”

Set number two was a different story. Seattle got out to a 16-8 lead., but the Sun Devils scratched and clawed their way back behind who else, Macey Gardner. She had four kills to help bring ASU back to within one, 21-20. The Sun Devils eventually pulled ahead and took set two, 28-26, thanks to three consecutive kills from Gardner.

“We are finding ways once we get going to be pretty efficient. We created this massive hole for ourselves. We weren’t very good but we were able to come back and win that game,” Watson said. “I think that speaks volumes to our ability to stay in the moment and continue to battle. We had to ride Macey.  She was wonderful. She was great and she had to be.  Good players rise to that challenge and Macey did just that.”

The Sun Devils finished off the Redhawks in set three, 25-15. In the sweep, Gardner led all attackers with 21 kills.

Arizona State has yet to drop a set this season.  The Sun Devils stay in Spokane for games against UNLV and Gonzaga tomorrow.

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