HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – No. 3 Stanford opened the postseason with a commanding performance, sweeping seventh-seeded Oregon 4-0 in the first round of the MPSF Championship Tournament on Wednesday morning at Spiker Beach.
The Cardinal came out strong, winning the first set on all five courts. Every Stanford pair secured at least a three-point victory in the opening frame, setting the tone for a dominant outing.
Junior Kelly Belardi and freshman Charlotta Bell struck first, defeating Slojkowski and Coats 21-17, 21-10 on court three to notch their fourth straight win. On court one, sophomore Ruby Sorra and senior Taylor Wilson extended Stanford’s lead with a 21-17, 21-17 victory over Oregon’s Bella Gamache and Ella Tyus.
The clinching point came from junior Daria Gusarova and fifth-year Emmy Sharp, who rolled to a 21-18, 21-13 win on court five. Simultaneously, sophomore Brooke Rockwell and freshman Avery Jackson capped off the sweep with a 21-13, 21-15 victory on court two.
With the win, Stanford advances in the winner’s bracket and will face No. 5 USC at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday. A victory would send the Cardinal into a matchup against the winner of No. 1 UCLA/California contest (held at 11 a.m.) at 3:30 p.m. A loss would place Stanford in a Friday morning match at 8:45 a.m.
#3 Stanford 4, Oregon 0
1. Ruby Sorra and Taylor Wilson (STAN) def. Bella Gamache and Ella Tyus (ORE) 21-17, 21-17
2. Avery Jackson and Brooke Rockwell (STAN) def. Daley McClellan and Gwen Fife (ORE) 21-13, 21-15
3. Kelly Belardi and Charlotta Bell (STAN) def. AJ Slojkowski and Landree Coats (ORE) 21-17, 21-10
4. Chloe Hoffman and Logan Tusher (STAN) vs. Hanna Bjornson and Kamilah Checani (ORE) 21-11, 18-18 (match was unfinished)
5. Daria Gusarova and Emmy Sharp (STAN) def. Natasha George and Liz Rossi (ORE) 21-18, 21-13
Order of finish: 3, 1, 5*, 2