After coming off an impressive home win against No. 17 San Diego last week, the ninth-ranked UW volleyball team (9-1) will travel to sunny Tempe, Ariz. to open its Pac-10 schedule against the Arizona State Sun Devils (9-4) tonight.

“We’re really excited,” sophomore setter Jenna Hagglund said. “We’re ready for the Pac-10. The conference is gonna be tough from top to bottom so we’ve got to play our game.”

The Sun Devils are 0-2 against ranked opponents this season and the Huskies have dominated the Sun Devils with a 30-18 all-time series advantage. The Huskies swept last year’s series, beating ASU 3-0 in both conference matches but despite the Dawgs’ historical success, they are taking this game seriously.

“They do some things like we do; they’re going be in good places at good times,” said coach Jim McLaughlin. “They’ve got some kids that can play,”

Sophomore Sarah Reaves, who leads the Pac-10 with 4.5 kills per set, heads ASU’s offense. ASU’s defense is solidly anchored by sophomore Sarah Johnson, who has 4.16 digs per set.

Tomorrow, the Huskies will make their way to Tucson to face off against the Arizona Wildcats (10-1).

“They’re a physical team; they can play the game at a high level above the net,” McLaughlin said. “We’re going to have to be prepared and we’re going to have to play well against those guys.”

The game will be tough; the Wildcats hold the conference lead for lowest opponent hitting percentage at .101. The UW will be the first ranked opponent Arizona will face this season.

The Dawgs are 10-1 and are ranked in the top 25 of the NCAA in hitting percentage, aces per set, blocks per set, kills per set and assists per set.

“I think we’re improving,” McLaughlin said. “We’re getting better and better. That’s how we’re gonna keep going; keep in the present tense.”

Washington has had some stellar individual performances as well. Junior Jill Collymore is leading the NCAA in aces per set at .077 and Hagglund is first in the conference and second in the NCAA in assists per set with 12.03.

“She’s made a lot of progress,” McLaughlin said. “She’s a different kid this year. Her mechanics are stabilizing and she’s hitting the ball well. Now it’s just a matter of her choices, and if she makes good ones, she’s going to keep our offense putting pressure on the other teams.”

Reach reporter Zach Ruby at sports@dailyuw.com.