Oct. 21, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. - Playing in its third consecutive five-set match, the second-ranked Stanford women's volleyball team defeated Washington State, 25-14, 25-17, 21-25, 21-25, 15-10, Sunday, at Bohler Gym in Pullman, Wash. The Cardinal moves to 18-2 overall and 10-0 in the Pac-12 at the halfway mark. The Cougars drop to 10-12 overall and remain winless in the conference at 0-10.
Junior middle blocker Carly Wopat led Stanford with 16 kills, seven blocks and six digs, while hitting .467. Freshman outside hitter Jordan Burgess also registered 16 kills and finished with eight digs and three blocks. Junior Rachel Williams and freshman Brittany Howard each pitched in with nine kills and combined for nine blocks. Freshman middle blocker Inky Ajanaku finished with four kills and six blocks.
Freshman Madi Bugg and senior Karissa Cook split time at setter, totaling 27 and 22 assists, respectively. Bugg also racked up 14 digs and three blocks for a double-double. Stanford finished with a season-best 20 team blocks. The Cardinal outhit the Cougars .256 to .156.
The early start didn't faze the Cardinal as it came out on fire, winning the first set 25-14. Stanford dominated the opening set, hitting .462 while holding WSU to a .088 attack percentage. The Cardinal led 15-10 at the media timeout and outscored the Cougars 10-4 down the stretch. Wopat led the team offensively with four kills, while Burgess and Williams added three apiece. Senior Jessica Walker paced Stanford with three blocks. WSU was led by Rachel Todorovich who put down four kills.
The Cougars battled back in the second, but Stanford pulled away late to win the set 25-17. There were three tie scores early as Stanford led 15-12 and finished out the set on a 10-5 run. Burgess led the team with four kills, while Wopat and Williams added three each. The Cardinal again posted five blocks in the set, including three by sophomore Morgan Boukather.
Stanford fell behind early in the third and was unable to recover as Washington State secured a 25-21 victory. The Cougars outhit the Cardinal .250 to .220. Stanford was led by Wopat's six kills, while Burgess added four and Williams had two. Ver'Leea Hardaway led WSU with five kills.
The Cardinal again fell behind early in the set and dropped a 25-21 decision to the Cougars. WSU again posted a better hitting percentage than Stanford (.263 to .206). Burgess kept the Cardinal in it with five kills, while Wopat and Howard added two each. Ajanaku pitched in with three blocks for the Stanford defense. The Cougars were led by Marcelina Glab's five kills.
For the third straight match, the Cardinal found a way to win in the fifth set. Stanford finished off WSU with 15-10 victory which included three blocks. Stanford posted a .263 hitting percentage in the set, while WSU was held to a .053 clip. Howard led the way with three kills, while Ajanaku, Boukather and Wopat each had one. Gilbert collected three bi digs in the set to lead the defense. Todorovich finished with a match high 18 kills, five digs and three blocks.
Stanford returns to The Farm next week to play host to Arizona and Arizona State. The Cardinal and Wildcats will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 24, on the Pac-12 Networks, and the Sun Devils on Friday, Oct. 26. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.