Nov. 3, 2000
TEMPE, Ariz. -- On senior night at Wells Fargo Arena, the four ASU seniors went out in style by handing the Oregon State Beavers a 3-1 defeat Friday evening in Pac-10 Volleyball action.
The 15-12, 15-7, 10-15, 15-8 victory improves the Sun Devils season record to 17-8, but even more importantly ASU is assured a .500 record in Pac-10 play with a 9-6 record with three matches vs. ranked opponents remaining. The win was ASU head coach Patti Snyder-Park's 101st career conference win, and according to her it couldn't have been a bigger one.
"Last night was nice to get my 100th Pac-10 win, but I was so looking forward to 101 if it came tonight vs. the Beavers," said Snyder-Park following the match. "Without any assurance, this win puts us in the NCAA tournament and is a great achievement for this group of girls. I am glad we could send this special group of seniors out in style with a great win."
ASU was led by a balanced attack of four players who each recorded double-digits in kills. All-American candidate Amanda Burbridge (Scottsdale) tallied 17 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore middle blocker Julia Leddy (Mesa) had what may have been her best performance of the 2000 campaign with 17 kills, six blocks and hit .516 for the match. Senior middle blocker Michelle Mortensen (Chandler) hit .652 for the match with 16 kills and added four blocks. Junior Jami Coughlin (Glendale) was the fourth Sun Devil to top double-digits in kills with 15.
"Our middles played great tonight and really allowed us to take control of the match at the net," added Snyder-Park.
Burbridge, Mortensen, Ashley Hubbard (Tucson), and Becky Sidoti (La Habra, Calif.) all played their last home contest in an ASU uniform.
The Sun Devils raced to an early 7-0 lead in game one, before holding on for a 15-12 win. Game two saw the Sun Devils take a 15-7 win and gave the squad the 2-0 advantage in the match. After dropping game three to the Beavers (15-10, 5-8 Pac-10) 10-15, ASU completed the 3-1 victory with a 15-8 win in game three. Freshman outside hitter Natalie Harris (Tempe) provided a pivotal spark in game four with three kills and several key digs.
The Sun Devils will return to action next Thursday and Friday on the road at nationally ranked USC and UCLA. ASU will then travel to Arizona on Nov. 18 to complete the '00 regular season. The Sun Devils are 11-2 on the road this year. OSU (15-10) 12 7 15 8 ASU (17-8) 15 15 10 15 ASU Statistical Leaders: KILLS: Burbridge (17), Leddy (17) ASSISTS: Anglin (37), Sidoti (19) TOTAL BLOCKS: Leddy (6) SERVICE ACES: Anglin (1), Coughlin (1), Burbridge (1) Attendance: 687
--Sun Devil Volleyball--