The Blaze

By Greg Dillard

The 2010 ASU Sheraton Tournament continues today for the ASU volleyball team. The Sun Devils (4-6) open day two against the University of the Pacific. ASU jumped into tournament play last night against No. 21 Michigan. After a sharp first set victory for ASU, the Wolverines showed why they are a Top 25 team and won the next three sets to seal the victory.

This afternoon’s matchup is the first of two matches for ASU today. Following Pacific, the Sun Devils will return to Wells Fargo Arena tonight to battle the Utah Utes.

Sun Devil Starting Lineup:

• Sonja Markanovich
• Cat Highmark
• Malia Marquardt
• Erica Wilson
• Sarah Johnson
• Sarah Reaves
• Danica Mendivil

The Opening Set: ASU and Pacific traded points early on in a back and forth battle. The Sun Devils trail by one, 10-11.

After trailing by several points, ASU ties the score at 17-17. Pacific coach Greg Gibbons calls the timeout.

The officiating has sparked unhappiness out of both Gibbons and ASU coach Jason Watson. It should be interesting to see how this continues.

ASU down by one, 20-21 later in the first set. Sarah Johnson serves for ASU and the Tigers grab another point.

Erica Wilson slams two straight points for ASU, we are knottted at 22. Stephanie Preach to serve for ASU!

The Sun Devils win the opening set 25-23 to hold a 1-0 lead. It will be interesting to see if ASU can keep the momentum going in the next set unlike yesterday against Michigan.

2nd set: Tigers off to a strong start with a 5-2 lead over ASU.

ASU continues to chip away and not let Pacific get too far ahead. Reaves to serve for ASU, they are now down 10-12.

Officiating continues to draw negative reactions from both coaches. Watson is given a yellow card.

ASU draws within two, 14-16. Wilson to serve. Stephanie Preach screaming “Let’s push, let’s push!” ASU has the momentum, it’s up to them to run with it.

Sun Devils tie it at 19-19. Sarah Johnson back to serve for ASU, and the Sun Devils jump in front 20-19. Timeout Pacific!

ASU is involved in yet another intense set. Watson calls the timeout down by one, 21-22.

Erica Wilson and Sarah Reaves give ASU the 23-22 lead. Gibbons calls the timeout for Pacific.  Big chance for ASU here.

ASU wins the 2nd set 26-24 to take a commanding 2-0 lead over Pacific.

Third set: Similar to the previous two sets, Tigers take an early lead. Let’s see if ASU keeps pushing away.

Sonja Markanovich makes it a 10-13 game for ASU.  Pacific starting to pull away with a 19-13 lead, Watson calls ASU timeout

Pacific wins the 3rd set 25-17 over ASU. The Sun Devils still lead the match 2-1.

4th set: We move into the 4th set here at Wells Fargo Arena. ASU holds a slim 4-2 lead early on.  The Sun Devils continue to lead here in set number four, it’s 10-6.

The Tigers have marched back from a four point hole to tie it at 12.

After a solid start to the set, ASU struggling here in 4th. Watson shouting “Let’s go! Let’s compete right now!”

Watson calls the ASU timeout with his team down 17-21.

The Sun Devils have let Pacific back into this match, Pacific wins the 3rd set 25-20 to force a fifth set.

5th set: ASU starts off the final set poorly thus prompting Watson to call an early timeout.

Intensity has to increase if Sun Devils want to win. The Sun Devils begin, what they hope, a strong comeback with two points to make it 2-4 Tigers.

Danica Mendivil makes it 8-6 ASU, the Sun Devils once again have momentum, but what will they do with it?

So much for momentum, Tigers are right back in game.

In thrilling fashion, ASU wins final set 16-14 to BEAT PACIFIC 3-2!

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 18th, 2010 at 7:04 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.