Fall is returning to Arizona and there’s plenty of activity, including college sports and continuation of the seasons for the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Rising FC. Here are updates on news and events happening around Arizona.
ASU volleyball to open at home with 3-match tournament
No. 7 Arizona State volleyball is finally returning to Tempe after six matches on the road.
The Sun Devils (5-1) were battle-tested with some of the toughest teams in the country in the first three weeks of action, taking down then-No. 2 Texas in the season opener on Aug. 22, and sweeping then-No. 14 Minnesota on Aug. 28. The only loss has been against then-No. 20 USC on Aug. 29.
Facing ranked teams early in neutral-site tournaments helped ASU prepare for what's ahead with several strong non-conference opponents remaining
and a tough Big 12 season ahead.
"We wanted to get some big environments early and play some tough matches early," coach JJ Van Niel said. "For me, it was get as much experience and get some pressure on them early. Conference is going to be tough this year, so get them ready for that."
ASU will host UC Davis for its home opener on Thursday, Sept. 10, to open the for the Snyder-Park Classic at Desert Financial Arena.
The home matches will be the home debut for the team's 10 new players, including Wisconsin transfer Una Vajagic. The junior outside hitter from Serbia leads ASU in kills (73), averaging 3.84 per set. She also leads in points (85) with 4.47 per set. She has had double-digit kills in four of the six matches this season.
"I think from the first day that I came, I felt good because there's also a lot of girls like me, internationals," Vajagic said. "And then it was easy to adjust with them and to become friends."
ASU's defense and blocking have come together quickly with 2.95 blocks per set, good for 14th in the nation. Senior middle blocker Ella Lomigora leads in blocks with 23, averaging 1.44 per set, while junior libero Faith Frame leads with 55 digs, averaging 2.9 per set.
Following UC Davis, the Sun Devils will then face No. 24 Oregon on Friday, Sept. 11, followed by San Diego on Saturday, Sept. 12. ASU won't return to Tempe until Oct. 4, against Big 12 opponent Iowa State.
— Jenna Ortiz
ASU women's basketball forward to compete for Team USA
Arizona State forward McKinna Brackens was selected for Team USA's 3x3 U23 team for the upcoming FIBA World Cup on Sept. 15-19 in Wuhan, China.
Brackens was one of four players selected on a team that also features Dani Carnegie, Katie Fiso and Tori McKinney.
The USA women will open Pool D play on Sept. 16 vs. Japan at 6:50 a.m. MT, followed by a matchup with Kenya at 11:50 a.m. MT. Pool play continues Sept. 18 vs. Slovenia at 8:30 a.m. MT and Australia at 11:25 a.m. MT.
Following pool play, the top two teams from each of the four five-team pools will move on to the quarterfinals on Sept. 19.
— Jenna Ortiz
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ Digest. Arizona State volleyball set for home opener
