Cardinal Upsets No. 4 BYU

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. – After dropping the opening set, the Stanford men’s volleyball team rallied to knock off No. 4 BYU, 21-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-18, Friday, at Maples Pavilion. The Cardinal, which secured its first win over a ranked opponent this season, moved to 7-11 overall and 4-8 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while the Cougars dropped to 13-4 and 10-3 in the conference.

In all seven of Stanford’s wins this season it has out hit its opponent, including .246 to .183 Friday against BYU. For the first time this season, Stanford has posted back-to-back wins.

“BYU is a good team and they played well and consistently in the first game,” said head coach John Kosty. “We made some nice adjustments in games two, three and four to help improve our situation and get more transition swings.

“I also think we served more effectively in games two, three and four. I think our middles really helped contain their outside hitters and took away some things from them. They got some nice touches and we just played consistent volleyball, which is nice to see from this team.”

Junior setter James Shaw returned to the starting setter position against BYU, finishing with 41 assists, eight digs and five kills. He also tied his season-high with three service aces.

“One of the key things for us tonight is that we passed well,” explained Kosty. “Passing well gets James up tight to the net and a 6-8 setter causes a lot of issues when the pass is on top of the tape. From him being able to attack to being able to set a faster offense, a lot of credit tonight goes to Evan [Enriques], Madison [Hayden] and Daniel [Tublin] for getting the ball to James so he can do his job.”

Stanford did not give up a service ace to the Cougars as the Cardinal’s passers, Evan Enriques, Madison Hayden and Daniel Tublin, posted a 1.000 reception percentage. The trio also played solid defense, combining for 22 of the team’s 39 digs.

Offensively, redshirt sophomore opposite Gabriel Vega paced the team with 16 kills on a .312 attack percentage and eight digs. Hayden added 11 kills and three aces, while Tublin totaled eight kills and three blocks.

“Gabo [Vega] has found a home on the right side,” added Kosty. “He has been very consistent over the last three to four weeks now. I am very happy with how he is playing and developing as an opposite. The confidence he is exuding every time he takes a swing.”

Stanford’s middle blockers, Conrad Kaminski and Spencer Haly, both hit .400 or better on the night and tied for a team-best four blocks.

BYU was led by freshman Brenden Sander’s 12 kills, while Michael Hatch finished with seven blocks to lead the Cougar defense.

Stanford and BYU square off again on Saturday, March 7 on The Farm. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT from Maples Pavilion.