(Photo: Michael Kain/WCSN)
TEMPE — Despite Arizona State volleyball’s season coming to an end prematurely, the Sun Devils had a historic year: ASU reached 30 wins for the second time in program history, earned the first conference title in program history and hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years.
Now after two straight tournament berths under second-year head coach JJ Van Niel, Arizona State has set the tone for volleyball in Tempe.
While the Sun Devils’ season came to a close on Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies (21-7, 10-6) , it was just ASU’s third loss of the year. The Devils’ final 30-3 record is the best winning percentage in program history, also featuring program bests in conference wins, 17, and sweeps, 20.
“I do believe winning starts becoming a little bit contagious,” a somber Van Niel said. “I just think we set the standard, this is what’s expected.”
A key part of Arizona State’s success was its strong core of graduates and seniors who made up most of the Sun Devils’ production and helped establish the winning culture.
Graduates middle blocker Claire Jeter and Shania Cromartie, as well as senior outside hitter Geli Cyr helmed ASU’s fast-paced offense, combining for 923 kills, nearly 60 percent of the entire team’s total. Cyr and Jeter earned All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors for their efforts during their final seasons in Tempe.
For Cyr, helping to set the culture was even more important than personal accolades or statistics. She said that playing under Van Niel resparked her love for volleyball after two underwhelming seasons before his arrival.
“I’ve had one hell of a journey here, I’ve changed so much, even from last year,” Cyr said. “I put myself into this leadership role a little bit, and kind of tried to be someone that the younger girls could look up to.”
In addition to Cyr and ASU’s producers at the net, graduate libero Mary Shroll and graduate setter Argentina Ung helped oil the Sun Devil winning machine with their respective skill sets.
Shroll added a team-high 522 digs was one of six Arizona State players with over 20 service aces, earning her Big 12 Libero of the Year honors and becoming a second round draft selection for the Pro Volleyball Federation’s Vegas Thrill.
Meanwhile, the versatile Ung contributed all over the floor, leading ASU in assists with 1131, placing second in digs, 291, and third in aces and blocks with 27 and 63, respectively. The former outside hitter also notched 122 kills as part of her Big 12 Setter of the Year campaign.
Fan involvement is another part of Van Niel’s culture, and the Sun Devils’ electric performances fostered record attendance during ASU’s undefeated 13-0 home slate. Arizona State fans broke the program’s single season attendance record, as 50,685 fans watched the Sun Devils in person in 2024.
Ultimately, Van Niel isn’t concerned with the records his Arizona State program breaks, his focus remains on the culture he and his staff are building. Thanks to the leadership and performances of his veterans, the Sun Devils’ head coach has standards to live up to and the building blocks to reach them.
“They’ve (ASU’s upperclassmen) already set the foundations, they’re the pillars of the program,” Van Niel said. “This is what’s expected, we’re not walking in like ‘oh lets have a 15-15 season, or lets maybe win the match,’ screw that.”
