# #

Scrimmage Showcases 2022 Squad

by thesundevils.com
Aug 20, 2022

TEMPE, Ariz. – The 2022 Sun Devil Volleyball squad was introduced to its fans Saturday morning at the annual Maroon and Gold Scrimmage at Desert Financial Arena, showcasing strong performances on offense from junior Marta Levinska and freshman Leah Miller.

The two teams played four sets, switching multiple players between teams throughout the day, still showing mounts of chemistry with each other. The two sides split the sets, 2-2.  All four sets featured well-balanced teams and stints of play that were evenly matched, holding scores within reach.

Levinska paced all attackers with 20 kills in the contest, as well as 13 digs for a double-double, one of seven Sun Devils notched double-doubles in the scrimmage.Miller showed ASU fans a taste of good things to come as she finished with 18 kills and 11 digs in her first game. 

Shannon Shields was the team leader in assists with 42 and Ella Synder followed closely with 41. The pair of setters also had 11 and 14 digs, respectively. Sophomore Geli Cyr recorded 12 kills and 20 digs. Junior Roberta Rabelo led all players with 22 digs to go with her 11 kills. Liberos Annika Larson-Nummer and Jaden Ravsnborg tallied 19 and 12 digs, respectively. 
 
The Sun Devils open the 2022 campaign next weekend, August 26-27 by hosting the Webb-Burbridge Classic. ASU starts against CSU Bakersfield at 11 a.m. MST on Friday, followed by a contest against Northern Iowa at 7:30 p.m. MST. The tournament will wrap up with a matchup against NCAA tournament-team Toledo on Saturday at 3 p.m. MST, which will be live on the Pac-12 Network.

Quotes
Head Coach Sanja Tomasevic
Thoughts on the team and the scrimmage
"We have a lot of returners and they were part of the process last year. They're all a year older, a year smarter and more mature and it's showing in the level that they are playing. Today some people seemed a little nervous, I guess that's why we do this. It's normal. Just small things like that that we can work on in the beginning, but as the game goes on we clean it up and started playing better. I think we got some answers for what we want to run next weekend."

On the newcomers
"I'm really excited for the freshmen, we have two of them and they came in this summer and really impressed all of their teammates and the coaching staff. We're excited for them to make an impact. I'm not surprised, they've been having great practices. Jaden Ravnsborg, Leah Miller and Olivia (Johnson) too. They've been doing really well so it's been fun to have them both come in and contribute in practice and games right away."

On stand-out performances
"I think Andi (Kreiling) did really well considering she didn't get to play a lot last year and she played any position we asked her. She was kind of our utility player last year, so I thought she played really well today." 

On the team's vibe
"The best part of this team is the fun we are all having playing together. It's great when you can have good chemistry and it certainly helps play at a high level."

Junior pin hitter Marta Levinska
On what went well
"I think our passing was pretty good. We were really excited to go play and you know see the fans and be in this vibe and gameday vibe. I think we did pretty good, everybody was fired up and I think everyone was really excited to play.I think it was amazing for us and I think we gained a lot of confidence too"

On any standouts
"I was impressed by Shannon Shields today. I think her sets were perfect. You know we love that lefty swing, it was so good."

Things to work on before next weekend
"I think we can work some on blocking and maybe reading the setter better, as well as a little bit of defense. But other than that I think we were pretty good. We hit the good shots, we can definitely hit better shots but I think it was pretty good."

Sophomore libero Jaden Ravnsborg 
On her first game as a Sun Devil 
"This is super exciting. The fanbase is awesome, and I feel super comfortable out there with the girls. The coaching staff is so supportive. All of the girls are supportive. It just feels like home. It's awesome here."
 
On the team's performance
"We all did great. I think we worked together, and we were mixing up people, and it was just really nice. We meshed really well together, so it was just super exciting to see everyone play well and have fun."
 
On what she's most excited for next week 
"I'm excited to see the fanbase, and just to play with the girls, and just have a great pre-season, and play all out."

Related News & Videos