Oct. 19, 1999
STANFORD, Calif. - Seventh-ranked Stanford (15-2) outlasted #3 Pacific (17-2) in a crucial five-game non-conference volleyball match in front of a noisy 2,573 fans on Tuesday at Maples Pavilion. Freshman outside hitter Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, UT/Highland HS) pounded 21 kills and senior outside hitter Kerri Walsh (Saratoga, CA/Archbishop Mitty HS) had 20 as the dynamic duo reached the 20-kill plateau together for the first time in their collegiate careers. Sophomore middle blocker Tara Conrad (Torrance, CA/West HS) closed out the match by pounding a ball just past the reach of a Pacific defender to wrap up a contest that lasted 2:20.
The Cardinal jumped ahead 8-4 in the fifth and deciding game but had to withstand a furious Pacific rally as the Tigers claimed an 11-9 lead after going on a 7-1 run. However, Stanford steadied and after taking back the lead at 12-11 never trailed again. The Cardinal had won the first two games 16-14 and 15-7 before Pacific rallied for surprisingly easy 15-6 and 15-5 victories in games three and four.
Stanford has now won 36 straight matches at Maples Pavilion and 86 times in its last 87 efforts on The Farm.
Stanford came out on fire in the first game and led 14-7 before Pacific knocked off seven unanswered points to tie the game at 14-14. However, the Cardinal picked up a sideout and then regained its composure to close out the game, 16-14.
Walsh also finished the match with a season-high 26 digs, just four shy of her career-high and Stanford single-match record of 30. Tom (.333) and Walsh (.326) both hit over .300 for the winners. Walsh added six blocks.
Pacific was paced by a one-player wrecking crew in senior outside hitter Elsa Stegemann (Santa Cruz, CA/Harbor HS) as she finished with a match-high 29 kills and had an incredible 82 total attempts. Stegemann was supported by senior middle blocker Tracy Chambers (Hacienda Heights, CA/Glen A. Wilson HS) with 14 kills, while senior outside hitter Jennica Smith (Forestville, CA/El Molino HS) and junior middle blocker Danielle Shinn added 13 and 11 kills, respectively.
Stanford freshman outside hitter Lindsey Yamasaki (Oregon City, OR/Oregon City HS) contributed 10 kills for the Cardinal, while junior setter Lindsay Kagawa (Albany, CA/Albany HS) had a match-high 49 assists.
Stanford is now 9-3 against highly-regarded Pacific in the 1990's and holds a 24-22 all-time edge in the series.
Stanford will next be in action when the Cardinal hosts Pac-10 and Bay Area rival California this Friday (7:00 pm) in a Pac-10 match. Stanford has a current 32-match winning streak over the Golden Bears and has won 51 straight conference matches at Maples Pavilion.