TUCSON, Ariz. – The impressive run for No. 6-seed Sun Devil Beach Volleyball at the 2022 Pac-12 Championship came to an end after a 3-0 loss to No. 4-seed Cal on Friday morning at Bear Down Beach.
Arizona State finished the regular season with a 17-15 record, which is the second-highest win total in program history. The top number was 21 wins in 2019. The team had an impressive showing at Pac-12s this week. After dropping to the contenders bracket with a loss in the first dual, the Sand Devils rallied to win the next two, including an upset against Arizona, to stay in the tournament.
The No. 1 pair of fifth-year senior Cierra Flood and junior Lexi Sweeney were named to the Pac-12 All-Tournament Team. They are the first Sun Devil pair since 2019 to make the all-tournament team and the fourth pair all-time.
A handful of Sand Devils made their marks in the record book. Flood finishes her career ranked No. 2 for individual wins with 64. Her partner on the top court Sweeney is just outside of the top 10 on that list, currently at No. 11. For single season success, the team leaders for individual wins in 2022 were sophomore Kate Fitzgerald and senior Maddy Salazar, both with 17. They are tied for 15th for the most wins in a single season.
The dual against No. 12-ranked Cal (26-12) saw some close competition despite the sweep. The No. 3 and 5 pairs lost their first sets by just two points. When the dual was decided, Taryn Ames and Maddy Salazar on court five had set point in their second set.
Results (Order of Finish: 1, 4, 3*)
1) Costa/Gessner (CAL) def. Cierra Flood/Lexi Sweeney (ASU) 21-12, 21-15
2) Delgado/Radell (CAL) vs. Lila Bordis/Anya Pemberton (ASU) 21-9, 19-17 DNF
3) Dreibholz/McKeown (CAL) def. Rylie Kael/Sarah Waters (ASU) 21-19, 21-10
4) Buchner/Mann (CAL) def. Kate Fitzgerald/Kylie Wickley (ASU) 21-17, 21-18
5) Taryn Ames/Maddy Salazar (ASU) vs. Martin/Young-Gomez (CAL) 19-21, 20-15 DNF
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