Sun Devil Beach Volleyball Makes Waves with Stunning Victory Over Defending Champs
In a thrilling season opener, the No. 11 Sun Devil Beach Volleyball team made a bold statement by defeating the defending NCAA National Champions, No.
5 TCU, with a decisive 4-1 victory. This impressive win came on the heels of a sweep over UC Davis, kicking off the Canyon Classic with a perfect 2-0 record.
Arizona State's triumph over TCU marks their first ranked win of the year and a sweet revenge for last year's Big 12 Championship finals. Under the guidance of third-year head coach Kristen Glattfelder, the Sun Devils have now secured their second top-five win in program history, contributing to Glattfelder's 19 ranked victories at ASU.
Leading the charge were redshirt seniors Ava Kirunchyk and Samaya Morin, the team's only returning pair from last season. They showcased their experience by sweeping both of their matches, setting the tone for the team's success.
The Sun Devils also welcomed three new faces to the sand. Senior McKenna Flaherty and junior Kristin Gilmour, both transfers, teamed up at the No. 4 spot and emerged victorious in both matches. Graduate Reagan Hope joined forces with returning senior Daniella Kensinger at No. 2, finishing the day with a 1-1 record.
The Sun Devils dominated, sweeping four of the five matches. The clinching moment came from Kirunchyk and Morin, who delivered a commanding performance with a 21-9, 21-14 win. Senior Arden Besecker and sophomore Zoë Taylor added to the excitement by battling through three sets to secure their victory.
In their early Big 12 matchup, the dual was tightly contested after the first wave. Flaherty and Gilmour secured the team's first point with a three-set win.
Kirunchyk and Morin then delivered a straight-set victory, the only one of the dual. TCU fought back on court five, but junior Olivia McElroy and senior Kendall Whitmarsh sealed the deal with a third-set clincher.
Besecker and Taylor's win rounded out the 4-1 triumph.
Looking Ahead
The Sun Devils are set to continue their Canyon Classic journey with duals against Colorado Mesa and No. 13 Grand Canyon on Saturday at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. MST.
Coach's Corner
Coach Glattfelder expressed her pride in the team's performance, highlighting the blend of nervous energy and excitement that comes with opening weekend. "Seeing the things we’ve been working on in practice start to be used in games is great," she shared. "We knew we weren’t going to back down and would fight for every point."
Reflecting on the strong start to the 2026 season, she added, "It’s inspiring and validating in so many ways. Our team motto is ‘believe’, and this team is very strong because we all truly believe that we can do anything and everything."
The Sun Devils have certainly set the stage for an exciting season ahead.