Oct. 20, 2004
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- Northern Arizona upset in-state rival Arizona State in straight sets (30-21, 30-22, 30-16) in non-conference volleyball action Tuesday night at the Rolle Activity Center.
The defeat marks the second straight loss to the Lumberjacks in Flagstaff, also falling in five games in their last visit in 1999. ASU, who had won three of the last four entering the match, falls to 8-9 overall. NAU snapped a two-match losing streak to improve to 5-13 overall and 6-38 all-time against ASU.
"If we have to go through the pain of a loss like this, then we have to be sure that we learned something from it," said second-year head coach Brad Saindon. "We shouldn't ever take any opponent for granted, and I don't think we showed NAU any respect coming into this match. They pretty much put it right back in our face and hopefully we learn that lesson and never let it happen again. I have to do a better job of getting the team ready to play and be motivated for any match, not just the Pac-10 matches. There are no excuses and we need to get over this loss and move on."
Junior outside hitter Sarah Watkins (Mishawaka, Ind.) led the Sun Devils with 11 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Nicole Morton (Bonsall, Calif.) added 10 kills and five digs. Freshman libero Sydney Donahue (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) led all players with 13 digs.
Junior outside hitter Ellie Butterfield led the Lumberjacks with 14 kills on a .343 hitting percentage. She added a team-high 10 digs for the double-double. Phoenix native Renee Lathrop added 10 kills on a scorching .529 hitting percentage. Freshman setter Kelly Verboom led all players with 29 assists.
NAU recorded nine service aces and hit .333 for the match. Butterfield and Verboom each recorded a pair of service aces.
Next up, the Sun Devils travel to Tucson on Friday to take on Arizona at 7 p.m. at McKale Center.
--Sun Devil Volleyball--