TEMPE, Ariz. – After sweeping its third matchup of the Sparky Invitational Saturday morning, No. 12 Arizona State Beach Volleyball carried that winning energy into their midday game against No. 15 Stetson.

The Sun Devils (16-9) defeated Stetson (20-7) 4-1 in ASU’s last home dual of the season Saturday, April 4, at Sun Devil Beach Volleyball Facility.

Saturday was senior day, which enhanced emotions and motivated the entire squad to allow the graduates’ last home dual to end in victory.

“It’s just about playing for more than yourself,” graduate student Reagan Hope said.

However, the win for the Sun Devils didn’t come easily. 

The Hatters were first on the board after their match against ASU's junior Olivia McElroy and senior Daniella Kensinger. Stetson got the sweep in this match narrowly, winning the second set 21-19.

McElroy and Kensinger weren’t able to get into a rhythm in the first set, falling 21-14. However, they kept things interesting in the second set, which was neck-and-neck until the very end when Stetson got the better of them to win the match.

Despite starting behind, ASU head coach Kristen Glattfelder implored her Sun Devils to take things one point at a time.

“Regardless of what the score is, just really trying to be in the moment and compartmentalizing the game and thinking about one thing at a time (is important),” Glattfelder said. “I think that’s when we struggle, when we get too ahead of ourselves.”

ASU’s senior McKenna Flaherty and junior Kristin Gilmour quickly turned things around for the Sun Devils when they tied the dual 1-1 with a victory in a three-set match.

The Sun Devils kept the momentum in their favor and jumped ahead in the dual 2-1 after graduate student Reagan Hope and senior Kendall Whitmarsh swept their match against the Hatters 2-0.

The first set of this match was close the entire time, staying within only a couple of points until Hope and Whitmarsh were able to pull away and win it 21-18. 

The pair jumped out in front 4-1 at the start of the second set and never let go of their lead. They took that set in dominant fashion, winning 21-13 to clinch the match.

ASU’s seniors Ava Kirunchyk and Samaya Morin followed this up with a match win in three extremely close sets. The win clinched the dual victory for the Sun Devils. 

Kirunchyk and Morin’s determination was evident throughout the match, especially as Morin battled through a knee injury.

“I’m really proud of (Morin),” Kirunchyk said. “She’s pushing through a lot, and she still is successful even with that much pain.

The final match of the day also went in favor of ASU. Sophomore Zoë Taylor and senior Arden Besecker battled back from a 21-13 loss in the first set and took the final two sets decisively.

The Sun Devils were able to get the victory in their seniors’ last dual at Sun Devil Beach Volleyball Facility.

“I want the seniors to know how much they’ve paved the way for this program and how they’re always going to be remembered,” Glattfelder said. “It’s not easy being a student-athlete, so (I’m) just proud of the work they put in.”