The Blaze

ASU coach Jason Watson instructs his team. Photo by Evan Fisher

By Greg Dillard

After twelve nonconference matchups to begin the 2010 season, the ASU volleyball team opens Pac-10 conference play tonight.

The Sun Devils (5-7) face the reigning Pac-10 champs and top ranked team in the nation, the Stanford Cardinal.

Stanford is off to an exciting 10-0 start to its season. The Cardinal made a bold statement at the Nike Big Four Volleyball Classic when they defeated No. 12 Texas and No.2 Penn State each in three sets.

Under third year head coach Jason Watson, the Sun Devils are looking to improve off their 3-15 Pac- 10 record last season. ASU finished 9th in the conference last year. It will be a tough conferenc season for the Sun Devils who are looking for more consistent play on the court.

Pac-10 playbegins NOW!

Sun Devil Starting Lineup:

• Sonja Markanovich
• Jenny Teslevich
• Cat Highmark
• Stephanie Preach
• Erica Wilson
• Sarah Johnson
• Sarah Reaves

We are underway here at Wells Fargo Arena. The No. 1 Cardinal taking on the Sun Devils.

1st set: ASU and Stanford are locked in a close contest here in the first set.  The Cardinal lead ASU 17-16.

The Sun Devils do not seem intimidated by the top ranked Cardinal. Stanford leads 22-20, ASU needs to sideout here.

Sarah Reaves smashes two kills and Sonja Markanovich adds another to tie it at 23-23, but the Cardinal prevail and win set one 25-23 over ASU.

2nd Set: The Sun Devils continue to push Stanford. ASU extends its lead to 13-9 with Erica Wilson’s kill. Wells Fargo Arena is full of energy as ASU leads 15-13 over Stanford. The Sun Devils looking to sideout here.

Stanford showing why they are No. 1, they storm back and now lead 19-16 over ASU.

The Sun Devils were down, but not out as they came back to tie the score at 24-24, but Stanford rallied to beat ASU 27-25.

3rd Set: In another close set, the Cardinal and Sun Devils are knotted at 7-7.

Erica Wilson smashes another kill to extend ASU’s lead to 21-15! Stanford Timeout!

The Sun Devils claim the third set 25-23 to force a fourth set. Danica Mendivil’s kill sealed the deal for ASU.

4th set: With ASU’s thrid set victory, we are headed to a fourth set. In yet another intense set, ASU and Stanford are deadlocked at 7-7.

After trailing by three points at one time, Stanford has come back and now leads 20-18 over ASU.

ASU is defeated by No. 1 Stanford 1-3 in its Pac-10 conference play opener.

The Sun Devils return to the hardwood on Sunday against No. 8 California.

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