(Tucson, AZ) No. 12 Sun Devil Beach Volleyball finished with a split on the final day of the Wildcat Spring Challenge, falling to No. 1 TCU (3-2) before sweeping Utah (5-0).
Going toe-to-toe with the No. 1 ranked TCU Horned Frogs (19-3), Arizona State (17-9) fell short of the upset, losing the dual 3-2 after three close three-set battles. Just a few hours later, the Sand Devils bounced back, sweeping Utah (18-10) and ending the tournament with a 3-1 showing.
The loss to TCU ended ASU’s winning streak at seven, which was a program record. However, the Sun Devils bounced back and have now won eight of their last nine duals.
Redshirt junior Ava Kirunchyk and sophomore Ava Williamson extended their win streak to nine, picking up two sweeps today. The duo has not lost a dual since being paired up nine duals ago, and their streak is now tied for the second-longest winning streak by a pair in ASU history, tied for fourth for an individual. Williamson now holds an 18-8 record this season, and Kirunchyk is sitting at 17-7.
Another winning streak on the team is for senior Anya Pemberton and sophomore Olivia McElroy. After reuniting yesterday in the second dual and winning, they also won both matches today, one of two pairs to do so.
Game One: #1 TCU 3, #12 ASU 2
In the second matchup of the season between these two teams, Arizona State made it a close one against the nation’s top team. Two courts were done in straight sets, each team winning one and setting up an exciting finish with the remaining three going to three sets. Unfortunately, the Horned Frogs took two of the three to win the dual. The No. 2 pair of Kirunchyk and Williamson extended their winning streak to eight in a row after sweeping their match. The other win came from the fives McElroy and Pemberton.
Final Results (Order of Finish: 2, 4, 1, 3*, 5)
- Alvarez/Hamlett (TCU) def. Daniella Kensinger/Samaya Morin (ASU) 21-18, 18-21, 15-9
- Ava Kirunchyk/Ava Williamson (ASU) def. Gonzalez/Reeves (TCU) 21-8, 21-13
- Izuzquiza/Navas (TCU) def. Tori Clement/Kendall Whitmarsh (ASU) 18-21, 21-18, 15-11
- Khmil/Vergara (TCU) def. Ava Haughy/Layla Williams (ASU) 21-14, 21-17
- Olivia McElroy/Anya Pemberton (ASU) def. Clines/Williams (TCU) 22-20, 21-23, 15-11
Game Two: #12 ASU 5, Utah 0
In the first matchup between these two teams as Big 12 opponents, the Sun Devils powered their way to a sweep. The No. 1 and 2 pairs jumped out to early leads, as both duos took their matches in two sets. The other three courts went to three sets, with No. 4 pair Pemberton and McElroy and No. 5 pair Haughy and Williams having to battle back after losing the first set. The sweep of the Utes was the Sun Devils’ seventh of the season.
Final Results (Order of Finish: 2, 1, 5*, 3, 4)
- Daniella Kensinger/Samaya Morin (ASU) def. Stephens/McAlister (Utah) 21-14, 21-16
- Ava Kirunchyk/Ava Williamson (ASU) def. Griffin/Vezzani (Utah) 21-14, 21-13
- Tori Clement/Kendall Whitmarsh (ASU) def. Pitzak/Collins (Utah) 21-16, 17-21, 15-10
- Anya Pemberton/Olivia McElroy (ASU) def. Wessel/Griffin (Utah) 23-25, 21-11, 15-8
- Ava Haughy/Layla Williams (ASU) def. Sayre/Burleson (Utah) 19-21, 21-11, 15,12
Up Next
The Sun Devils will compete at the COE Challenge next weekend in San Luis Obispo, California. ASU will have rematches against TCU, UCLA and LMU, more chances to boost the tournament resume.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Kimberlie Haner
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