Proof is in the pudding: JJ Van Niel notches 100th career win against rival Arizona

(Photo: Aiden Longbrake/WCSN)

TEMPE – Arizona State University is home to some of the Valley’s most illustrious sports amphitheaters, with a few hosting their own unique slogans of intimidation.

“Abandon all hope, ye who enter here” is posted in bold yellow letters, with flames coming out from under, above the student section in Mountain America Stadium. At Mullett Arena, “Fear the Fork” is displayed on an LED-lit sign on the wall.

Interestingly enough, at Desert Financial Arena, it’s not a written statement that may strike fear in opponents; it’s proof. High in the rafters, between one men’s and one women’s basketball banner, sit ASU volleyball’s accomplishments over the last two seasons: “conference champions.”

On Thursday night, the Sun Devils retained the Territorial Cup and gave head coach JJ Van Niel his 100th win in a 3-1 victory against the Wildcats. ASU not only displayed its account but also showed the one thing every venue has in common: no tolerance for rival Arizona in any way, ace or kill.

“The players make it. They kind of set the tone for our program from a culture standpoint, from a standard standpoint, from an excellence standpoint,” Van Niel said. “It’s just an honor to get to work with such great young women.”

Fifth-year outside hitter Aniya Clinton, third-year outside hitter Una Vajagic and fourth-year opposite hitter Noemi Glover have formed one of the most lethal frontlines in the Big 12.

Fourth-year setter Isabella Costantini has a front-row seat.

“I have three hitters across the net that I know if I put the ball to any of them, they’re going to put it away,” Costantini said. “It’s super hard to defend us because they never know where the ball can go.”

Amidst the trio’s resounding success, Glover’s dominance stands out. The reigning Big 12 Player of the year proved time and time again why she is in a league of her own.

With 21 kills on the night and ASU three points away from victory, Glover had done her part but decided the show wasn’t over yet. As the crowd stood tall, decked out in maroon and gold, Glover rose in the air and slammed the ball into the ground.

As the ball came over the net on the Wildcats’ next offensive attack, the crowd shouted “A” for the pass and “S” for the set, and as Glover again rifled the ball into Arizona’s territory, the “U” turned into an ear-deafening explosion of celebration throughout the arena.

“That was about as loud an arena as I had heard in a long time,” Van Niel said.

Glover posted 23 kills against Arizona, doing so from a new position, one that she embraced after Van Niel challenged her in the offseason.

“She has worked her butt off to get better at defense, and it really is showing every day in games,” Frame said.

Against the Wildcats, Glover posted a career-high 16 digs and her second double-double, with the first coming against Texas. She certainly lit the fireworks throughout the evening, but her supporting cast did well in setting them up.

Vajagic had 13 kills and 13 digs, making her presence known on both ends and recording her fifth double-double of the season.

“I showed a couple clips to Una and was like, ‘If you’re on time, you’re gonna get it,’” Van Niel said. “Two plays later, she hits the stuff block.”

Clinton tagged right along with 13 kills of her own and her seventh double-digit kill game of the season.

On a night full of milestones, third-year libero Faith Frame recorded her 1,000th career dig and has been a huge asset for ASU.

“I’m happy to share my milestone with them as well,” Frame said.

In the midst of a rally, Vajagic received a swing on the outside so powerful the ball flew toward the seats straight behind. Frame read the ricochet like a book, sprinted past the Sun Devil stamp on the floor, leaped and kept it in play.

With the crowd already bamboozled by the astonishing save, Clinton watched the ball float in the air, treated the courtside seats as an outfielder trying to avoid hitting the wall, and knocked the ball off the net and into Arizona territory.

“That’s kind of my role on the team,” Frame said. “The libero is supposed to give it all they have, not let the ball hit the floor, so it’s really important that you do that every single play.”

Gold shirts sprinted onto the floor and the arena erupted into a frenzy, a scene that ostensibly symbolized the importance of the Duel in the Desert.

“It’s just effort. We talk about effort, and when you have high effort, good things happen to you,” Van Niel said. “Her (Frame’s) effort is as good as anyone in the country.”

For Frame, the play was about not giving up, no matter the task at hand.

“If you see a ball and you don’t even think you can get there, at least go for it,” Frame said. “Those plays light a fire in all of us.”

This speaks volumes about the Sun Devils’ character.

“I think this team’s learning to fight, and that’s important,” Van Niel said. “It’s important for now, but it’s also important for building confidence.”

The Sun Devils’ success on defense stems deep into the conference, as they lead in three separate categories: opponent hitting percentage (.152), opponent assists (10.25) and opponent kills (10.84).

“Even when we’re getting those digs and it ends up being their point, we still made them earn it,” Frame said.

This is largely due to the squad’s depth across all facets.

“That’s a big strength for us, that we do have a lot of depth,” Frame said. “When their name’s called, they’re ready to go in.”

Van Niel pointed to the fourth set, when reserves gave the Sun Devils a lift.

“It’s nice to have people that can come off the bench and help you out, provide a little new energy,” Van Niel said.

With defensive-minded wizard and ASU women’s basketball head coach Molly Miller on hand to show her support, there’s quite the story being written with Sun Devil lifers. Miller led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 last season.

On Thursday night, Pat Murphy, the former Sun Devil baseball head coach and current Milwaukee Brewers manager, booked a trip past the National League Championship Series and will become the first person to coach in both a College World Series and an MLB World Series game.

Finally, en route to making history, Van Niel became only the fourth head coach in program history to reach the century mark in victories and has defeated Arizona seven straight times, feats that should fit well in ASU’s record books.

“The standard is the standard,” Frame said. “He expects a lot from us, and he pushes us really hard. But at the end of the day, that’s what’s going to make us all better.”