The Sun Devils got the sweep over UCF in comfortable fashion.

The first set was tightly contested the entire way, with ten ties and five lead changes. After the Knights pulled out to a 16-10 lead, tied for the largest by either team in the set, ASU went on a 5-0 run to pull the set within a point.

The Sun Devils dominated from this point on, winning set one 25-19. 

The second set got off to an ugly start for the Sun Devils: UCF’s first three points all came from ASU service errors. After this frustrating start, the Sun Devils settled in to win the second set 25-18.

Set number three was all ASU. The Sun Devils had a .519 hitting percentage in the third set compared to just .054 for the Knights, and ASU completed a 25-13 rout.

Despite a few early errors that kept UCF in the match, the Sun Devils put up a dominant showing, led by their performance at the net, both offensively and defensively.

ASU had an otherworldly hitting percentage of .519 in the third set, but even overall, they maintained an impressive .406 and held the Knights to .131.

The Sun Devils had 49 kills to UCF’s 31, and 12 blocks compared to only 4 for the Knights.

UCF boasts plenty of height. All but one of their starters stand at 5-foot-11 or taller; junior middle blocker Ella Chapman listed at 6-foot-4 and junior outside hitter Avah Armour at 6-foot-5.

Still, the Sun Devils were unfazed. Senior outside hitter Bailey Miller led the offensive attack for ASU with 12 kills, senior outside hitter Tatum Parrott and junior opposite hitter Noemie Glover close behind with 11 apiece.

Glover, a semifinalist for the AVCA National Player of the Year Award and this team’s biggest star, is second on the team in blocks per set with 1.20. 

She is behind only graduate middle blocker Colby Neal, who boasts 1.52 blocks per set. Neal leads the nation in blocks this season with 137.

Neal was the biggest star defensively at the net, posting another 7 blocks in the victory.

While UCF threatened to hang around early in the match, the Sun Devils regathered and took control, in large part because of these efforts.

After beating No. 21 BYU less than two weeks ago, then prevailing over No. 22 Colorado in five sets on the road in their last match, ASU didn’t blink in the matchup with a sub-.500 opponent.

As the Sun Devils continue to get tough wins over very good conference opponents and handle business against their lesser opponents, excitement is growing around what this team is capable of accomplishing.

ASU resumes play Friday, Nov. 21, when it plays at Houston. The Sun Devils have just three Big 12 matches remaining as they prepare for what they hope will be a deep run in the NCAA tournament.