STANFORD, Calif. – In an early season showdown between the top-two teams in the nation, the second-ranked Stanford women’s volleyball team took down No. 1 Penn State, 18-25, 25-23, 25-22, 16-25, 15-10, Friday, in front of more than 3,600 fans at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, Calif. The Cardinal moves to 3-0 on the year, while the Nittany Lions drop to 3-1.
Stanford and Penn State are no strangers to five-set matches, especially against each other. Last season, the Cardinal failed to win a five-set match, including the Lexington Regional final against the Nittany Lions.
Not this year. Stanford’s experience and leadership on the court prevailed, evening the all-time series against Penn State 8-8. The Cardinal started all juniors and seniors, who helped keep the composure even after a rocky start.
Senior opposite Morgan Boukather, a human biology major from Newport Beach, Calif., led the Cardinal offensively with 15 kills on a .353 attack percentage. She notched her second double-double in as many matches, collecting 12 digs to go with four blocks.
Junior middle blocker Inky Ajanaku, also a human biology major, added 14 kills (.385) and four blocks, while junior Jordan Burgess registered her third double-double of the season with 10 kills and 13 digs.
Junior setter Madi Bugg directed the offense, which hit .237 for the match, totaling 43 assists and 13 digs for her first double-double of the year. Senior libero Kyle Gilbert anchored the defensive side of the ball with 19 digs. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Merete Lutz also made an impact on defense with four blocks.
Penn State was led by freshman outside hitter Ali Frantti’s 22 kills and 11 digs, while junior Megan Courtney tallied 18 kills, nine digs and five blocks. Senior setter Micha Hancock finished with 57 assists and 13 digs, but had six service errors.
Stanford returns to Maples on Sunday, Sept. 7 to continue the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge against No. 9 Illinois. The match will air on the Pac-12 Networks at 11 a.m. PT.