Sept. 25, 1999
STANFORD, Calif. - Senior Kerri Walsh (Saratoga, CA/Archbishop Mitty HS) hit .429 with 15 kills to lead seventh-ranked Stanford past No. 10 Brigham Young 15-11, 15-7, 15-10 at the Pac-10/Mountain West Challenge in Maples Pavilion Saturday night.
Sophomore middle blocker Sara Sandrik (Pelham, AL/Pelham HS) hit .450 with 11 kills and freshman outside hitter Logan Tom (Salt Lake City, UT/Highland HS) added 12 kills and eight digs for the Cardinal. Stanford (8-1) out-blocked the Cougars 11 to 6, and has out-blocked its opponent in every match this season. Entering this week's play, BYU (7-2) ranked second nationally in blocking and Stanford ranked third.
Middle blocker Nina Puikkonen, who led the nation in blocking a year ago, had 12 kills and four blocks for BYU, and outside hitter Mari Carpenter added 12 kills as well. Stanford hit .311 compared to the Cougars' .227.
Stanford junior Robyn Lewis (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly HS), the Cardinal's starting setter a year ago, made her first appearance of the season. Lewis, who has been recovering from off-season knee surgery, came in at 4-5 in game three, and recorded a block on her first play of the season. Minutes later, Lewis recorded an ace on her first serve of the season. Lewis finished with nine assists and four blocks in addition to an ace and a dig.
Also for Stanford, senior outside hitter Sarah Clark (Kamuela, HI/Hawaii Prep) hit .467 with eight kills, sophomore middle blocker Tara Conrad (Torrance, CA/West HS) had seven blocks, and junior setter Lindsay Kagawa (Albany, CA/Albany HS) had team-highs of 31 assists and 10 digs.
In the earlier match, McKelle Stilson had 25 kills to lead Utah to a 16-18, 15-8, 16-14, 15-12 win over California. Alicia Perry had 29 kills for the Golden Bears and Brook Coulter became Cal's all-time career service ace leader, tallying seven aces to give her 138 over three-plus seasons.
Stanford returns to action Tuesday night at Fresno State at 7:00 p.m. California is at Santa Clara Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.
No. 7 Stanford (8-1) def. No. 10 Brigham Young (7-2) 15-11, 15-7, 15-10
Kill Leaders: Kerri Walsh (S) 15, Nina Puikkonen, Mari Carpenter (BYU) 12
Dig Leaders: Lindsay Kagawa (S) 10, Caroline Bower (BYU) 10
Block Leaders: Tara Conrad (S) 7, Anna-Lena Smith, Nina Puikkonen (BYU) 4