ASU women’s volleyball began its season with a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-14, 25-17) against Northeastern – highlighted by contributions from new face in the starting lineup.
Junior outside hitter Cassidy Pickrell got the start in the first game of her ASU career. She had been impressing head coach Jason Watson during practice over the last couple weeks, who noted her range and ability to hit from the backrow after the Maroon and Gold Scrimmage.
She finished with nine kills on 22 attempts with five errors.
She started in place of junior outside hitter Kizzy Ricedorff, marking the only difference in ASU’s starting lineup since last season.
Ricedorff posted four kills on eight attempts.
ASU had its first in-game experience with a 6-2 system, in which the team plays with two setters and three hitters on the court at once. With senior setter Bianca Arellano and freshman setter Kylie Pickrell leading the passing game, the two combined for 30 assists (13 and 17, respectively).
Northeastern kept the game close early in the first set, trailing 11-9, but three Husky attack errors and a pair of kills from senior outside hitter Macey Gardner pushed ASU’s lead. ASU scored seven of the next ten points before winning 25-16.
ASU took a 14-5 lead in the second set. Five different Sun Devils got kills in that span, two of which Kylie Pickrell assisted for. In the set, senior middle blocker Whitney Follette and junior outside hitter BreElle Bailey teamed up for three blocks. ASU walked to a 25-14 victory.
An attacking error from Pickrell to open set three gave Northeastern its first lead since it led 2-1 in the first set, and ASU struggled to get back in command. Three consecutive Husky kills tied the score at 10, but seven errors between the two teams in those first 20 points stopped either on from gaining momentum.
Ricedorff got a kill, Northeastern made an error and Cassidy Pickrell got a kill of her own to give ASU a 13-10 lead. They maintained the small advantage until two from assists Kylie Pickerell helped push the lead to six.
ASU’s final three points came from Northeastern errors and closed out the third set 25-17.
The Sun Devils had 15 hitting errors, and shot .253, but Northeastern struggled more. The Huskies had 23 hitting errors and just 26 kills, resulting in a hitting percent of .034.
Northeastern junior setter Jamie Bredahl has four hitting errors, two of which came from blocks made by Follette and Cassidy Pickrell. Follette finished with eight blocks and the team combined for 13.
ASU will attempt to continue its strong defensive effort against New Mexico State tomorrow afternoon.
Reach the reporter at logan.newman@asu.edu or follow @Logan_Newsman on Twitter.
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