TEMPE, Ariz. — No. 20 BYU women’s volleyball dropped a three-set match at No. 15 Arizona State (17-25, 17-25, 20-25) at Desert Financial Arena on Friday night.
The Cougars (9-5, 2-2 Big 12) hit a season-low .124, the second-straight match that they have posted a season-low hitting percentage. Arizona State hit .284 in the contest and recorded 10 more kills, two more aces, six more digs and one more block than BYU.
Dropping to 2-2 in Big 12 play after their second-consecutive loss in conference, the Cougars were again led by Claire Little, who recorded nine kills and nine digs, and Alex Bower, who was a dig shy of another double-double with 24 assists and nine digs.
Hannah Billeter recorded a team-high 13 digs, while Lulu Uluave had eight. Kjersti Strong, Brielle Kemavor and Bower each tallied two blocks. Little, Elli Mortensen and Bower all had one ace apiece.
Set 1
After leading 3-2, Arizona State went on an 8-0 run, spanning a BYU timeout, to lead 10-3. The Cougars then responded with a 6-0 run, spanning a Sun Devil timeout, to tie the set at 11-11.
ASU took seven of the next 11 points to go in front 18-14, forcing BYU’s second timeout. A 5-0 Sun Devil run then made it 23-15, and Arizona State finished things off four plays later, 25-17.
Set 2
Trailing 6-2, the Cougars called their first timeout. Both teams traded points before a pair of 3-0 runs by BYU that featured two Little kills, a quick hitter by Kemavor and an Alex Bower ace tied the set at 12-apiece.
ASU responded by scoring five of the next six points to gain a 17-13 advantage, and BYU took its second timeout. Then down 19-15, the Sun Devils scored four straight before again closing things out four plays later, 25-17.
Set 3
A pair of 3-0 runs had Arizona State leading 8-4 in the early going, and the Cougars called timeout. Trading points, ASU remained in front through 16-11, where BYU took its second timeout.
BYU received aces from Mortensen and Little to draw within three, at 20-17, Arizona State, and the Sun Devils called a timeout. Elyse Stowell and Kjersti Strong both scored as the Cougars fought to stay in it, but ASU eventually sealed the sweep, 25-20.
Up Next
BYU will return to Provo for two more ranked matchups against No. 14 Baylor and No. 22 TCU next week. The Cougars and Bears will face off on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. MDT, with the match televised on FS1.