NASHVILLE - The Lipscomb University volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision to No. 17 Arizona State University on the second day of the LUV Invitational, Saturday night from Allen Arena.
The Sun Devils, who made it to the NCAA Round of 16 last season, is ranked 17th in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.
Final Score: No. 17 Arizona State 3, Lipscomb 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-20)
Location: Allen Arena
Records: Lipscomb (1-1), Arizona State (2-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The contest started out back-and forth, but the Sun Devils swelled the lead to 16-9 after a strong front row attack. ASU posted 16 kills in the opening frame to defeat LUV 25-13.
The Bisons quickly turned it around in set number two. After
Meg Mersman made it a 5-4 advantage,
Ninah Miranda came in and helped the offense to a three-point rally that started with an ace and extended the home team's lead to 8-4.
However, Arizona State rallied to retake the lead after the Sun Devils scored three straight points to retake the lead, 18-16. The momentum stayed with the visitors throughout the set, as they moved to a 2-0 match lead with a 25-21 set result.
For the third set, the Bisons matched the Sun Devils in kills with 13, as Mersman,
Courtney Jones and
Karlie McNabb went back-to-back-to-back on the front row to give them the 9-6 lead.
After ASU made it an 11-9 deficit, LUV went on another run with three straight points thanks to two attack errors by Arizona State and a
Sophia Hudepohl ace.
Unfortunately for Lipscomb, Arizona State chipped away at its deficit for the second straight set. An 11-5 run by the Sun Devils flipped the score back in their favor, 20-19.
The visitors finished the sweep with eight of the last nine points to secure the team's second win of the year.
KEY STATISTICS
Meg Mersman led the Bisons with 10 kills on 19 attacks, while
Courtney Jones added nine spikes.
Karlie McNabb and
Luca Bredenberg each added 10 digs.
UP NEXT
Lipscomb will wrap up the LUV Invitational on Sunday with an afternoon matinee against Butler. First serve is scheduled for 3 p.m.
