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The Arizona State Sun Devils went into Gonzaga this weekend not having dropped a set.
The weekend started off in the right direction, as the Sun Devils edged out Nevada, but followed the win up with back-to-back match losses against Gonzaga and Portland State.
Game 1: Nevada
The Sun Devils extended their winning ways in a big fashion as they were able to battle back from a first set loss to grab a four set victory 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-19.
Nevada junior opposite Peighton De Von did her best to throw the Sun Devils off mashing 18 kills on 35 attempts. She finished the match with only four errors.
However, the combination of the outside hitters for ASU was too much to handle. Senior Oluoma Okaro, sophomore Ivana Jeremic and freshman Griere Hughes totaled 49 kills between them.
Okaro would add a career high 19 digs to post the matches only double-double.
Game 2: Gonzaga
The Bulldogs earned a gritty victory over the Sun Devils in five sets 25-18, 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 13-15.
The Sun Devils launched out and grabbed two of the first three sets. Then faltered a late lead in the fourth set, and ultimately ended up dropping the match.
As a team the Sun Devils were limited to a .213 hitting percentage, but outperformed the Bulldogs in most other facets of the game.
Senior libero Halle Harker continued her string of impressive performances, digging up a season best 27 total balls.
Freshman outside hitter Sarah Penner led the charge for the Bulldogs, hitting .289. She converted for kills on 19 of her 38 swings.
Game 3: Portland State
ASU could not recover from the Gonzaga loss the night before against the Vikings, dropping the match in four sets 21-25, 25-18, 20-25, 23-25.
The Vikings outperformed the Sun Devils in nearly every statistical category. Most importantly outhitting the Sun Devils, .279 to .248.
A change was made by head coach Sanja Tomasevic on the offense. Sophomore setter Callie Jones got the start over freshman standout Shelbie Dobmeier, notching 44 assists in her first start.
However, the defense slipped for the Sun Devils allowing four Vikings hitters to end the match with double digit kills.
Junior middle blocker Katy Wilson posted 11 kills while hitting with a .588 clip.
Overall it was a tough weekend for the Sun Devils as they played away from home for the first time this season.
Next up they will head up to Northern Arizona to compete in the third of four preseason tournaments.