Sept. 30, 2000
TEMPE, Ariz. -- It took seven years and 14 matches, but the losing streak for the Arizona State University Sun Devils to the national power Stanford Cardinal volleyball program is finally over.
Behind a strong 24-kill effort from senior outside hitter Amanda Burbridge (Scottsdale), the Sun Devils ended a 13-match losing streak to the No. 15 ranked Cardinal with a 15-8, 14-16, 15-4, 15-9 victory in front of 819 fans Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena.
"This win is huge for us because anytime you beat a program like Stanford it really boost your confidence," said ASU head coach Patti Snyder-Park. "We never let them get into the match and ended a lot of key rallies with some big kills. It really is a great win for us and takes a little of the sting away from losing to Cal last night."
The last time an ASU squad handed the Cardinal a loss was 10/22/93 at Wells Fargo Arena, a span of 13 straight matches. The Sun Devils are now 4-36 vs. Stanford in the all-time series. With consecutive losses to USC, UCLA, Arizona and ASU, Stanford has now lost four matches in a row for the first time in the program's illustrious 24-year history.
The Sun Devils are now 11-4 on the year and 3-2 in the Pac-10. ASU has won 10 of its last 12 matches. The Cardinal are 7-6 in 2000 and fall to 2-4 in Pac-10 play.
In addition to her 24 kills, Burbridge also tallied 18 digs and recorded four service aces. With 1,263 career kills, the senior moved ahead of Mindy Rich into sixth place in the ASU record books. Burbridge now has 12 double-doubles this season and has recorded 20 or more kills in eight matches.
Right behind Burbridge was a solid match by junior outside hitter Jami Coughlin (Glendale) who recorded 19 kills and 10 digs. Julia Leddy (Mesa) had 14 kills, Michelle Mortensen (Chandler) added 10 kills and freshman Kim Mehlhorn (Tempe) also had 10 to pace the Sun Devil offense. Freshman defensive specialist Courtney Blocher (Scottsdale) recorded a career-high 16 digs.
The Sun Devils will return to Pac-10 play next weekend on the road at Oregon and Oregon State. STAN (7-6) 8 16 4 9 ASU (11-4) 15 14 15 15 ASU Statistical Leaders: KILLS: Burbridge (24), Coughlin (19), Leddy (14) ASSISTS: Anglin (57) BLOCKS: Leddy (5), Burbridge (5), Mortensen (5) SERVICE ACES: Burbridge (4) Attendance: 819
--Sun Devil Volleyball--