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Arizona State volleyball (5-3) opened the Lumberjack Classic in Flagstaff with a pair of wins. The Sun Devils beat both Utah Valley (1-5) and Northern Arizona (1-5).
Sun Devils comeback to beat Utah Valley
Arizona State found itself in quite the battle against Utah Valley on Saturday. After the Sun Devils won the first set decisively, the next four were all decided by three points or less. In the end, Arizona State came out on top 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-13).
Marta Levinska performed the best of the Sun Devil attack. She led the team in kills (16) at a .333 hitting percentage, and picked up a double-double with 13 digs.
The Sun Devils also got quality play from Claire Jeter. The Texas A&M transfer contributed 15 kills and a team-high five blocks in the win. Following a career weekend in Lincoln, Iman Isanovic started off slow before giving the Sun Devils 14 kills.
Shannon Shields and Ella Snyder split time at the setter spot. The duo combined for 42 assists and 12 digs.
Lumberjacks can’t cut down Arizona State blockers
A quick peak into the box score will show Arizona State’s dominance on the net. However, one of the Sun Devils’ 11 blocks was far bigger than the rest. Tied leading into the third set, Northern Arizona and Arizona State fought hard for the pivot game. As Taylor Jacobsen flew up for the kill, Beatrice Badini and Rabelo Roberta matched her for the set-winning point off the fortified block.
S3 | THAT'S HOW YOU WIN A SET
— Sun Devil Volleyball (@SunDevilVB) September 11, 2021
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The Sun Devils went on to take the contest 3-1 (25-18, 24-26, 27-25, 25-16) to close out the doubleheader sweep.
Badini finished with four blocks and four kills. Andi Kreiling and Jeter also impressed with their performances. Each had nine kills against Northern Arizona and Jeter blocked seven shots.
Isanovic rode her hot streak at the end of the Utah Valley contest for 15 kills. Levinska added 12 more.
The Sun Devils finish the Lumberjack Classic on Saturday when they matchup against UC Davis at 12:00 p.m. local time. The Aggies lost to both Utah Valley and Northern Arizona on Saturday.