The ASU volleyball team needed a perfect weekend to remain mathematically eligible for postseason play, but it came up short, losing to No. 6 UCLA and No. 1 USC in three-game sweeps.
Even worse for the Sun Devils, the loss to the Women of Troy hurt more than any box score could describe.
Midway through the final game of Saturday's match, outside hitter Natalie Harris landed awkwardly on her left elbow. The junior quickly left the court and initial reports from medical personnel indicated the joint was hyperextended. Harris was taken to Tempe St. Luke's hospital by her parents for X-rays following the match.
"She said she heard a pop, and she saw it go backwards," head coach Brad Saindon said. "I don't know what we are going to do. I got to think about that one for a while."
While the X-rays came back negative, Harris still was unable to bend or extend her elbow Sunday morning. If Harris is unable to play, Nicole Morton is expected to see playing time. The freshman has recorded 20 kills in limited action this season, including one while taking over for Harris Saturday.
During the match against USC, the Sun Devils (8-15, 3-11 Pac-10) matched the top-ranked team in the country point-for-point in the opening game. The two teams battled through 12 tied scores and seven lead changes.
But USC eventually turned up its play, winning 10 of 11 points during one run to put the first game out of reach.
"I'm really happy with the way we played [Saturday]," Saindon said. "I thought that game one was one of the best sets we've played all year."
With its dominance in the remaining games, USC (24-0, 15-0 Pac-10) proved it was the team to beat not only in the Pac-10, but also in the country. After winning a sluggish second game, the Women of Troy hit an amazing .571 with only one error in the deciding third frame to put the Sun Devils away 30-12.
The margin of victory in the final game (18) tied USC for its second-biggest win this year, matching the first game of the last time ASU faced the Trojans on Oct. 10. Earlier this year, USC defeated Centenary 30-6 in the McDonalds/Texas A&M Invitational.
"They are a great team, so we're going to get blocked," senior middle blocker Mandy Stephens said. "They're going to do good things, but I thought we stayed with them pretty well."
USC was led by junior Keao Burdine, who finished her night with 10 kills, eight digs and two service aces.
Outside of the losing result, the match ended on a sour note. After Saindon benched senior Juliana Escobar in the third game, the two quickly exchanged heated words, putting an end to the outside hitter's night.
"I hate losing, and I should be more patient, but I'm not," Escobar said.
Saindon did not want to comment about the incident.
Friday's match against the Bruins featured a lethargic ASU team that had trouble finding its rhythm. The Sun Devils were outplayed by UCLA (20-5, 11-4 Pac-10) during the first game and never looked back. The Bruins had a .500 hitting percentage in the opening game and committed no errors. Colby Lyman led UCLA with nine kills, two service aces and a block assist.
Harris was the only Sun Devil to record double digits in kills (10), and Escobar added a team-high 12 digs.
ASU takes its final road trip of the season this week to face Oregon State on Thursday and Oregon on Friday.
Reach the reporter at jeffrey.hoodzow@asu.edu.
