(Irving, TX) In their inaugural season in the Big 12, Sun Devil Volleyball was picked third in the 2024 Big 12 Volleyball Preseason Poll and graduates Claire Jeter and Argentina Ung were selected to the preseason team.
Third is the highest preseason poll ranking for Arizona State since 2015 when the team was picked to finish second in the Pac-12. Additionally, this is the first preseason team for both Jeter and Ung. For the full Big 12 release, head to their website.
The 2023 season for Sun Devil Volleyball was arguably the best one in program history. With numerous records broken, two wins in the NCAA Tournament, three All-Americans, and many more milestones, the 50th season of the program was a remarkable one. Arizona State went 28-7 under first-year head coach JJ Van Niel, who was the AVCA Pacific South Region Coach of the Year and Pac-12 Coach of the Year. The Sun Devils reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015, winning two matches for the first time in program history. Arizona State had its second-highest win total in a season in program history with 28.
Jeter had her best season yet in 2023, earning AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Region and Pac-12 Honorable Mention. A middle blocker, she led the defense at the net with 130 blocks, the most she’s had in a single season. A threat on offense, she was ranked 40th in the nation in hitting percentage at the end of the regular season. She finished the year with a .373 clip to lead the team, the highest hitting percentage by a Sun Devil since 2003. She neared 200 kills on the year with 195. She also was second on the team in aces with 43, the most she has had in a single season.
Ung is a setter from Mexico entering her first season as a Sun Devil and final year of collegiate volleyball. She played four seasons at Washington State, running a 5-1 as the starter in the last two seasons. In 2023, she earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention honors. She was also all-region honorable mention and Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2023. Last season, she helped the Cougars reach the Sweet 16 and finish ranked No. 11 in the AVCA Coaches Poll. She led the team to a third-straight 20-win season and eighth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. She has 2,513 career assists, earning over 1,200 in each of the last two years.
The 2024 season begins on August 30 against Butler at the LUV Invitational hosted by Lipscomb. For a first look at the squad, the annual Maroon and Gold Scrimmage will be held on August 24 at 1 p.m. MST in Mullett Arena.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Kimberlie Haner