Washington State University Athletics
Cougars Grab 3-0 Win over No. 5 Arizona State
October 11, 2015 | Volleyball
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Behind Kyra Holt's double-double and outstanding team blocking, the Washington State volleyball team (13-5 overall, 2-4 Pac-12) swept No. 5 Arizona State (15-2, 4-2) Sunday afternoon with set scores of 25-14, 25-17, and 25-21.
Holt, a junior from Hercules, Calif., led the Cougars with 11 kills and 12 digs. McKenna Woodford added eight kills and four blocks while Taylor Mims had six kills and a match-leading five blocks. Ella Lajos and Casey Schoenlein each had six kills and four blocks. Haley MacDonald set up 35 assists. Holt and Tani Stephens each served one ace.
The Sun Devils were led by Cassidy Pickrell's 12 kills with Bianca Arellano setting 23 assists and had 10 digs. Lexi MacLean also had 10 digs. BreElle Bailey had seven kills and two blocks.
WSU hit .286 for the match and held ASU to a .055 hitting percentage. The Cougars out-blocked the Sun Devils 10 to two.
The last time WSU defeated a ranked team was Nov. 24, 2013, a 3-2 win at No. 23 California. The last time WSU defeated a ranked team in Bohler Gym was Nov. 17, 2013, a 3-2 win over No. 4 USC. The last time WSU swept a ranked team was Oct. 16, 2009, when the Cougars defeated No. 16 USC in Bohler Gym.
“I think our defense and passing were exceptional, especially in the first two sets,” WSU Head Coach Jen Greeny said. “I thought we blocked well and served really tough today and we able to get it done. Haley MacDonald spread the offense well and our hitters did a fantastic job. We'll take a win any way we can get it but for some confidence for this team, we have been really close in a couple matches and to come out and win in three was really important and hopefully we can carry this on to next weekend.”
“I think it was such a tight game Friday night that we came out today with more hunger and fight. We kept grinding at what we'd been working on in practice and it came (together) today,” Holt said. “We have such a huge freshman class and they didn't live our past; now we can have the Pac-12 respect us as a team.”
The Cougars play at home in Bohler Gym again next weekend, taking on Oregon State Friday, Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m., and No. 25 Oregon Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m.
