SERVES UP; SUN DEVIL VOLLEYBALL TO RIDE A WAVE OF MOMENTUM INTO 2025

TEMPE, Ariz. – After a record 2024 season, No. 7 Arizona State volleyball showcased a glimpse into 2025 expectations, splitting a pair of games in Pittsburgh at the State Farm Volleyball Showcase.

The Sun Devils traveled to the PPG Arena to battle reigning national champion No. 2 Penn State and No. 9 ranked Pitt. ASU, previously ranked at No. 13, upset Penn State 3-1 in the first ever meeting between these two teams on Sunday before falling to Pitt in a sweep on Monday.

A notable off-season move was junior opposite Noemie Glover who transferred from Oregon. Glover, one of two Sun Devils on the Big 12 preseason team, put up 263 kills last season.

Glover’s addition already paid dividends to start the season. Glover was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after a double-double showing against Penn State with 22 kills and 10 blocks.

Senior Bailer Miller and junior Jillian Neal return to the Sun Devils as outside hitters. Miller collected 147 kills across 27 matches in 2024 while Neal scored 36 aces, up 20 from 2023.

The middle blocker rotation saw major turnover, with three transfers jumping over to Tempe. This includes sophomore Zoey Burgess, junior Ella Lomigora and graduate Colby Neal.

Liberos return Sophomore Bella Faria, sophomore Piper Rama and senior Estella Zatechka. Faith Frame, a sophomore formerly at Cincinnati, joins with 2024 Big 12 All-Rookie Team honors.

No. 7 is the highest AVCA Coaches Poll rank for ASU under the direction of head coach JJ Van Niel. Among Neil’s accomplishments was being named as the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2024.

Niel, who led the team to a 17-1 Big 12 record, is the fastest head coach in program history to hit 50 wins. In April, Niel signed an extension to remain with the program through the 2029 season.

ASU hosts its first home game in the Nore-Stahl Classic on September 5. The Sun Devils first face Florida Gulf Coast, then play Loyola Marymount for the first time in 13 years on Sunday.

Desert Financial Area favored the Sun Devils last season, going 14-1 at home. An overall record of 30-3 also aided the team in hosting NCAA Tournament matches for the first time since 1995.

The reigning Big 12 Champions look to repeat in only their second year in the conference. Preseason rankings project the Sun Devils to finish third in the Big 12 behind BYU and Kansas.

Big 12 play begins September 26 with a two-game trip to Kansas. The regular season will conclude with Senior Day at home on November 29 as the Sun Devils host West Virginia.