Watson’s choice at setter is paying off

(Photo: Trey Lanthier/WCSN)

Arizona State volleyball head coach Jason Watson shocked those familiar with the team when he decided to start a sophomore transfer, former Tennessee Volunteer Bianca Arellano, over Pac-12 All-Freshman selection Allison Palmer, who broke ASU’s single-season assist record in her freshman campaign with 1482.

After an undefeated start through six matches, that decision seems to be working out.

Arellano, a Phoenix native, has quickly established her ability to run Watson’s offense, averaging 12.11 assists per set, good for seventh in the country.

Despite this being her first season as a Sun Devil, Arellano benefits from a high level of familiarity with her teammates and coach.

During a decorated prep career that included winning the Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year in 2011, she played with senior libero Stephanie Preach at Xavier Prep and All Pac-12 selection Macey Gardner on Club Red. Watson was also involved with Club Red during her senior year.

“I already knew the kind of offense [Coach Watson] liked to run and the offense established here at ASU,” said Arellano. “It was nice to be back with Jason for sure, I’m really comfortable with him, and Macey is always fun to play with, so it was good.”

In an interview over the summer, Watson commented that teams had taken advantage of Allison Palmer’s blocking deficiencies, and that may have led to his choosing of Arellano over Palmer.

Arellano, even at only 5’8″, can hold her own at the net as well. The setter has picked up two solo blocks and 17 block assists over the first two weekends of the season.

Arellano’s early success can only be explained by the hard work put in during the offseason.

“It’s all reps, reps, reps,” stated Arellano. “I would come in early, set off the passers, and try to connect more with my middles especially, and once I got dialed in, it was good to run the offense.”

Arellano hopes to run that offense on all cylinders this weekend as the Sun Devils travel to Champaign, Illinois to face off against Youngstown State, No. 14 Illinois, and No. 2 Texas, the defending national champion.

“My expectation is to keep winning,” said Arellano. “We’re undefeated so far. (We) haven’t won anything big yet, but we got to keep positivity and work together as a team.”

If the Sun Devils can meet Arellano’s expectations, they can expect to crack the national rankings as well.

You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com.

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