TEMPE, Ariz.— Arizona State volleyball wrapped up action in the Sun Devil Classic on Sunday with a matchup against winless (0-12) University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The Sun Devils won their previous two matchups against Grand Canyon and Pepperdine (both three sets to zero), respectively.
No. 8 ASU picked up right where it left off, scoring 10 of the first 14 total points to kick off the first set.
The Panthers started to make a push to bring themselves back into the gams as they got the Sun Devils’ lead down to five at 12-7, but ASU kept applying pressure, and it just was too much for Milwaukee as the Sun Devils’ lead ballooned to as large as 13 before ASU put the set to bed, taking it 25-10.
Junior opposite hitter Neomie Glover led the team with four kills in the first set. Glover finished the day with an impressive four kills along with nine total attempts.
On the other hand, Panthers head coach Susie Johnson’s team could not get anything going. Only scoring four points to start the second set, and had only a total of nine kills compared to the Sun Devils’ 20. Milwaukee ultimately recorded 17 kills in the match, with ASU taking the set efficiently, 25-9.
The third set brought fans lots of action as the Pathers were more gritty as they stayed poised and racked up a couple of aces to take an early 10-6 lead, something they hadn't had all match.
The Sun Devils battled back to force a Milwaukee timeout, all knotted up at 11. From there, it was a neck-and-neck affair with ASU ultimately pulling away towards the end of the set, taking the match 25-18 and sweeping the match in three straight sets.
One of the more efficient players for the Sun Devils was sophomore libero Faith Frame.
While Frame failed to record a single kill in the game, head coach JJ Van Neil postgame praised how she’s embodied the libero spot all season long.
“Faith has been really steady back there for us,” Van Neil said. “She won the jersey during our double days and hasn't really looked back. She provides nice calmness back there and a communicator.”
Van Neil also stated that playing in these tournaments, regardless of the opponent, is crucial for success in conference play.
“I mean, every win you learn,” Van Neil said. “ I didn't think our offense executed what we needed to the last couple sets. So there's still some stuff we got to clean up, but it's good weekends, three wins, which you always take. It's fun to be home playing for big crowds and get ready, because I know, especially our first match against Kansas, gonna be a rowdy crowd.”
The Sun Devils open conference play with a duel on the road against Kansas Sept. 26 at 5 p.m., followed by a trip to Manhattan, Kansas, where ASU will face Kansas State Sept. 28 at noon.