Dec. 9, 1999
STANFORD, Calif. - No. 2 Stanford (29-2) and No. 7 UC Santa Barbara (29-5) each won Pacific Regional semifinal matches to set up a showdown between the clubs on Friday evening at Maples Pavilion. The winner of tomorrow night's Pacific Regional final will advance to the NCAA Final Four in Honolulu, HI (December 16 & 18). Stanford will be attempting to make its fifth trip to the Final Four in the last six seasons, while UC Santa Barbara has never reached the Final Four despite being one of only four NCAA teams to have participated in all 19 NCAA Tournaments (also Pacific, Penn State and Stanford).
Stanford has won five of the last six meetings between the teams. However, UC Santa Barbara picked up a four-game 15-9, 15-2, 5-15, 15-8 victory the last time the team's played in the 1998 season opener for Stanford. The Cardinal and the Gauchos last played an NCAA Tournament match on December 13, 1997. In that match, Stanford defeated the Gauchos 3-0 (15-12, 15-12, 15-3). UCSB does lead the overall series between the clubs, 8-5. The Gauchos are one of just seven teams across the nation to hold an edge over the Cardinal in the all-time series.Following are stories on each of tonight's two matches...
MATCH 1 - UC SANTA BARBARA 3, NEBRASKA 1 (15-5, 7-15, 15-8, 15-3)Post-match Comments
UC Santa Barbara Nebraska Box Score
The Gauchos earned a trip to the Pacific Regional final as Charlene Conley led a balanced attack with 15 kills. UC Santa Barbara tied its season-high win streak as the Gauchos picked up their ninth straight victory. The Gauchos also had excellent efforts from Michelle Christ (14 kills, .321 attack %), Roberta Gehlke (12 kills, 16 digs), Julia Weissenborn (11 kills, 10 digs, six blocks) and Desiree Rook (20 digs).
Nebraska concluded its season with a 27-6 record. The Cornhuskers were paced by Nancy Meendering with 22 kills, 17 digs and seven blocks. Amber Holmquist contributed 10 kills and a match-high nine blocks, while Mandy Molson picked up a match-high 24 digs.
MATCH 2 - STANFORD 3, ARIZONA 1 (15-6, 6-15, 15-7, 15-7)Post-match Audio
Stanford Arizona Box Score
Stanford rallied from a first game loss to defeat Arizona for the third time this season and extend the Cardinal's season-high win streak to 18 matches. National Freshman Player of the Year candidate Logan Tom paced Stanford with 18 kills and added a .400 attack percentage (18-2-40). The Cardinal's balanced attack also featured National Player of the Year candidate Kerri Walsh (14 kills, 13 digs, five blocks), Lindsey Yamasaki (12 kills) and Tara Conrad (11 kills, six blocks, .444 attack percentage). Lindsay Kagawa (49 assists, 4 blocks) and Jennifer Detmer (seven blocks) also made large contributions for Stanford.
The win was the 44th straight victory for Stanford at Maples Pavilion and its 16th straight home win in NCAA Tournament action. The Cardinal improved its all-time mark in the NCAA Tournament to 54-15 (.783), the top winning percentage of any team in the country.
Arizona was paced by Raelene Elam (15 kills) and Marisa DaLee (12 kills).