After a close win in the first set, 25-23, the Sun Devils came out on top. Senior setter Sydney Henry crafted strong connections with middle blockers, graduate student Colby Neal and junior Ella Lomigora, both of who ran a swift offense. 

The Eagles struggled to pick up the fast-moving ASU balls. Henry’s ability to get the ball to the middle made it defensively challenging for the opposing team to receive.

With a loss in the second set, 21-25, the Sun Devils faced a four-point deficit and struggled to mount a comeback. 

Even down several points, redshirt freshman outside hitter Kiylah Presley came out swinging during the second set. Presley finished the match with 11 kills. 

During the fourth set, the ASU went on an 11-point run, allowing for a cushion lead. Senior outside hitter Bailey Miller served 10 balls to help gain this lead. 

Miller showed up and dominated on the court. Her high IQ and athletic ability to manipulate the ball helped lead the Sun Devils to win the final two sets, 25-23 and 25-13, and the overall match.

The Senior finished the night with a total of 13 kills.

Neal finished Friday’s home-opening victory with eight total blocks, including against the Eagles’ freshman middle blocker Erica Muhizi. 

Despite these strong performances by core players, ASU had to make multiple adjustments to its starting lineup due to the absence of junior right-side hitter Noemie Glover. 

Miller discussed the pressure and nerves the team felt in the initial sets due to the new changes in the lineup, yet Presley competed at a high level on the right side in Glover's place. 

“It took some time to adjust, especially because we had been running our system without her,” Miller said. “I think now that we've got it out of our system that last set, we're more warm and less tense. I think that would be good for Sunday.”

The Sun Devils return to Desert Financial Arena on Sept. 7 against LMU to finish off the tournament.