AMES, Iowa – For the sixth straight year, the third-ranked Stanford women’s volleyball team captured a win on opening day, defeating Iowa State 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-19) at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
Juniors Jordan Burgess and Inky Ajanaku led the Cardinal offensively, while senior libero Kyle Gilbert anchored the defense. Burgess finished with a match-high 15 kills to go with 16 digs for her 20th career double-double. Ajanaku led all players with a .522 attack percentage (14-2-23) and notched a match-best seven blocks. Gilbert finished with 18 digs, registering 11 in the third set.
Sophomore setter Madi Bugg controlled the offense, racking up 42 assists as the Cardinal hit .317 as a team. The Apex, N.C., native also tallied eight digs, five blocks and three kills. Junior outside hitter Brittany Howard added eight kills and nine digs.
Senior opposite Morgan Boukather and junior middle blocker Megan McGehee filled in nicely for 2013 graduated seniors Rachel Williams and Carly Wopat, respectively. Boukather finished with five kills and a career high eight digs, while McGehee totaled four kills, four digs and three blocks.
Both of Stanford’s freshmen, outside hitter Sidney Brown and defensive specialist Sarah Benjamin, made their collegiate debuts against the Cyclones. Brown collected two digs, while Benjamin picked up three.
Iowa State committed 21 attack errors, hitting .130 as a team, and trailed in the block column 11.0 to 3.0. The Cyclones were led by senior outside hitter Victoria Hurtt, who finished with 13 kills on a .214 hitting percentage. Sophomore Ciara Capezio added 11 kills and 11 digs, while junior libero Caitlin Nolan recorded a match-high 19 digs.
Stanford closes out the AVCA Showcase at No. 7 Nebraska on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. PT on the Big Ten Network. It is the only match between top-10 teams during the opening weekend of play.