TEMPE, Ariz. – ASU unlocked its first home win of the season on “brain rot” night with a rowdy crowd of 4,667 people in attendance.

Freshman outside hitter Grace Martin appreciated the light-hearted fun in the arena during the first home win of her collegiate career.

“It was a great environment,” Martin said. “Honestly, I enjoyed it. I thought it brought some humor to the court.”

After suffering a 3-1 loss to UC Davis Thursday, the No. 7 Arizona State Sun Devils (6-2) turned it around to defeat the No. 24 Oregon Ducks (5-1), 3-1, on Friday, Sept. 11, during day two of the Synder-Park Classic, handing the Ducks their first loss of the season. 

ASU last faced Oregon in 2023, back when both teams were a part of the Pac-12. The two squads split the season series, both picking up wins on each other's courts. 

Friday held some added value for Sun Devils senior opposite hitter Noemie Glover, who transferred to ASU her junior year from the Ducks.

After finishing with 13 kills and six blocks in the win, Glover reminisced on her two seasons in Eugene.

“It was really nostalgic for me honestly,” Glover said. “I spent my first two years there and I had a great time.”

Martin added a total of 12 kills for the Sun Devils hitting at a .312, giving the Oregon front row problems all night.

Van Niel loved to see his ASU squad, especially Martin, respond in a big way against a nationally-ranked opponent.

“I thought the team really responded well,” Van Niel said. “We did a much better job blocking and obviously Grace [Martin] came in and that was a huge match for her. She crushed it.”

The Sun Devils walked into set one fired up, leaving little room for the Ducks to score points. Led by both Glover and junior middle blocker Antonina Serafinowska, ASU set up strong blocks across the net. 

Shortly after a dominant 25-13 win in the first set, the Sun Devils dropped set two by nine points. Oregon came into the set ready to fight back and took the lead quickly after the first whistle. 

Ducks sophomore opposite hitter Alanah Clemente, who tallied 14 kills in Friday’s match, added constant pressure to the Sun Devils’ defense in set two. 

Between sets two and three, Glover came to the team and added some encouragement moving forward in the match. 

“I think after the second set, I came in there and said ‘guys, it’s six-seven night,’” Glover said. “‘This is supposed to be fun. We can do this. Whatever just happened, leave it in the trash and just come out and enjoy.’”

After a quick turnaround, ASU came back strong in all aspects. Glover put up back-to-back strong blocks to get the fans on their feet, cheering “monster block.”

With the Sun Devils five points away from taking set three, head coach JJ Van Niel pulled a challenge card on the refs after a ball was ruled out. 

Unfortunately for ASU, the call remained, but the unlucky break left Van Niel, the Sun Devil squad and the Tempe crowd fired up to push through the match. 

Instantly, Glover provided two quick kills, leaving Oregon scrambling. Eventually, ASU pulled through, prevailing 25-22 due to a Ducks service error.

From there, after an even start to the decisive fourth set, the Sun Devils rattled off six straight points late and put Oregon away, winning the set 25-17.

Following an afternoon matchup between the Ducks and the Aggies, ASU wraps up its three-game set at the Snyder-Park Classic tomorrow, Sept. 12, night against San Diego at 5:00 p.m. MST inside Desert Financial Arena.