For the second straight season the Sun Devils have dominated the Wildcats.
The ASU volleyball team (15-12, 7-7 Pac-10) continued its dominance over UA (13-13, 3-11 Pac-10) Wednesday night in Tucson by taking the season series, sweeping the match in three games 30-28, 30-28 and 30-27.
The Sun Devils were 2-0 against UA last season and have won their last four matches against the Wildcats.
"We've been on the other side of this (scenario)," ASU coach Brad Saindon said.
"To beat UA in Tucson is special and I'm happy for my seniors because not so long ago they were on the other side of it."
Two ASU seniors present for the ups-and-downs, libero Sydney Donahue and defensive specialist Alison Lund, powered the Sun Devils' defense, combining for 27 digs Wednesday night.
ASU freshman outside hitter Sarah Reaves was an offensive and defensive force, scoring 16 kills while also popping up 13 digs and knocking back two solo blocks.
The Wildcats played the Sun Devils close in all three games but couldn't hold off the Sun Devils in the end.
"All three games were close, but there was never a doubt in my mind we would win," Saindon said.
UA freshman outside hitter Tiffany Owens was the main reason the Wildcats stayed in the match. She had a game-high 25 kills.
Owens, who also had a solo block and two assisted blocks, got a little help from UA senior middle blocker Dominique Lamb's 12 kills and four assisted blocks, but it wasn't enough to combat ASU's balanced performance.
ASU junior outside hitter Margie Giordano had 15 kills while hitting for a match-best .452 attack percentage in a rivalry game she is more than familiar with.
Saindon said he was happy for Giordano, a former Arizona high school product, because UA attempted to recruit her while in high school but wanted her as a libero because they underestimated her hitting ability.
Reach the reporter at: devin.hicks@asu.edu.
