STANFORD, Calif. – The top-ranked Stanford women’s volleyball team recorded a season-high 20 blocks in a four-set win (25-20, 30-28, 20-25, 27-25) over No. 17 UCLA, Friday, in front of more than 3,000 fans at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, Calif.
The Cardinal (9-0 Pac-12) improved to 19-0, its best start since 1994 when it opened the season 20-0. Stanford outhit UCLA (14-6, 5-4 Pac-12) .333 to .228. The Bruins finished with 10 service aces and four blocks.
Junior middle blocker Inky Ajanaku, a human biology major from Tulsa, Okla., led Stanford with 15 kills on a .583 hitting percentage and a season high nine blocks. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Merete Lutz added 12 kills on a match-high .611 attack percentage and a career high 10 blocks for her first career double-double.
Junior setter Madi Bugg directed the offense with 43 assists and continued to play solid defense with a team-high 14 digs and four blocks. She has now registered a double-double in three straight matches and four of her last five.
Senior opposite Morgan Boukather continued her steady play with nine kills, five digs and three blocks, while juniors Brittany Howard and Jordan Burgess finished with seven kills each. Howard posted a season-best six blocks, while Burgess tied her career high with five. Senior libero Kyle Gilbert tallied 13 digs in the win, and has registered double-digit digs in all 19 matches this season.
UCLA was led by senior opposite Karsta Lowe’s 26 kills and eight digs. Rookie outside hitter Reily Buechler added 16 kills on a .306 hitting percentage for the Bruins.
Up next, Stanford takes on 19th-ranked USC on Sunday, Oct. 16 at Maples Pavilion. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.