LAWRENCE, Kan. – Arizona State volleyball staved off the Cougars of College of Charleston on Saturday, 3-0. With sets score of 25-17, 25-12, 25-21; the Sun Devils move to 7-2 on the year.
**Updated 9/8, 7:32 p.m. PT**
Macey Gardner and Erica Wilson were named to the Jayhawk Invitational All-Tournament Team. This is the third tournament honor for Gardner and the second for Wilson this season. Other student-athletes that were honored included: MVP – Caroline Jarmoc, Kansas; Tayler Tolefree, Kansas; Brianne Riley, Kansas; Becky Stewart, Wyoming; Emily Neideffer, College of Charleston; Macey Garder, Arizona State; Erica Wilson, Arizona State.
Jumping to a 4-0 lead in the first set helped the Sun Devils gain ground for its seven-point lead at 16-9. With Macey Gardner swinging at a .462 clip (eight kills), ASU quickly stretched its advantage to 20-14. Three kills from Erica Wilson, aided by Allison Palmer assists, put the frame in the books, 25-17.
Early block assists by Alexis Pinson, Nora Tuioti-Mariner, Wilson and Mercedes Binns gave ASU a 7-3 lead to start the second set. The Devils built their lead to eight after a soft swing from Binns made it a 15-8 ballgame. Arizona State was closing in on the second set ahead 22-11 before finishing in convincing fashion on three straight points, 25-12.
Despite finishing the first set on a five-point tear and swiftly taking the second by 13 points, ASU worked from behind early on in the third, 8-10. A 5-0 rally, with three kills from Gardner and a pair of blocks by Binns, frustrated College of Charleston into a timeout as the Devils took the lead 14-13.
Following five ties, a pair of Cougar miscues allowed ASU to tally a 20-18 lead. COC stayed close but a kill by Gardner made it match point and set up Pinson to finish the tournament in fashion with a service ace, 25-21.
Gardner posted 19 kills, Wilson chipped in 15 while Palmer connected for 46 assists.
Up Next:
The Sun Devils will host its home opener starting Sept. 14 with the ASU Sheraton Invitational. ASU will play Villanova at noon on Friday, followed by UC Riverside at 8 p.m. On Saturday, the Devils face Florida Atlantic at 2:30 then an 8 p.m. showdown with Gonzaga will close out the tournament portion of the schedule.