The ASU women's volleyball team finished the Ocean National Bank Invitational in Durham, New Hampshire with a record of 2-1. What was more important than the wins and losses was that the team was able to gain three matches of much-needed experience for a young squad.
"We improved with every game we played and ended the tournament with a solid victory over a very good team," coach Brad Saindon said. "Our freshmen did a nice job of adjusting as the weekend went on. I am very proud of the way they battled back from (the loss) and made this a successful road trip."
The Sun Devils played their season opener on Friday, downing Florida International three games to one. Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Morton set career highs with 18 kills and 11 digs on the night.
ASU started off nicely with a 30-12 win in game one, and followed it up with a slim 31-29 victory to lead 2-0. Florida International came back to win game three, but the Sun Devils finished off the match with a 30-17 victory in the decisive fourth game.
Sophomore middle blocker Tierra Burnley recorded a career-high 13 kills, and senior setter Giovana Melo set career highs in assists and digs with 54 and 16, respectively.
The Sun Devils received their first loss of the year at the hands of Toledo, falling by scores of 30-23, 30-28 and 31-29. The Rockets used a balanced offensive attack, with four different players in double figures in kills. Kate Bean led all players with 17 kills for Toledo.
Morton once again led ASU offensively, registering 13 kills in the match, and freshman opposite Kristin Trayser added nine kills and two blocks. Freshman Rachel Mittelstaedt made her first career start, leading the Sun Devils with 29 assists.
ASU rebounded in its final match of the tournament, defeating host New Hampshire three games to one on Saturday night. The two teams split the first two games, but the Sun Devils rallied for 30-21 and 30-23 wins in games three and four to clinch the victory.
Sydney Donahue set an ASU freshman record with 27 digs in the match, and freshman Colette Meek and Trayser had 15 kills apiece to pace the Sun Devils. Morton added 13 kills and 10 digs, and junior Sarah Watkins had 10 kills and 14 digs for ASU.
Meek and Morton were both named to the all-tournament team for their efforts.
In the three matches, Melo led the team with 51 total assists, senior defensive specialist Stephanie Kohner had double digits in digs in all three matches, and Morton paced the team with four kills per game.
The Sun Devils will now turn their sights on their own tournament, which will start Friday and run through Sunday; the Tempe Buttes Invitational. The team will host Tulane, Fordham and Pacific in the second-to-last tournament before the start of Pac-10 play.
The invitational will be the only time the Sun Devils will play at home in the month of September.
Reach the reporter at Kyle.Odegard@asu.edu
